UAV - Unpiloted Aerial Vehicle
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150; Flight Crew Total 1000; Flight Crew Type 1000
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Aircraft; Equipment / Tooling
We were transferring control of a UAV from one ground control station to another ground control station. The MQ-1C was level at FL200 in a counter clockwise loiter in [restricted area]. In the process of the hand off communication was lost with the UAV. The aircraft conducted the pre planned lost link mission and proceeded to the southern edge of [restricted area] at 11;000 MSL. The aircraft remained in lost link for approximately 3 minutes before link was re-established and aircraft was commanded to FL200. During the lost link emergency event the aircraft deviated from assigned altitude approximately 1;500 feet.
MQ-1C UAV operator reported losing ground link with the aircraft for approximately 3 minutes; during which time the UAV deviated about 1;500 FT from assigned altitude.