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The General Atomics MQ-1 Predator (often referred to as the Predator drone) is an American remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) built by General Atomics that was used primarily by the United States Air Force (USAF) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper (sometimes called Predator B) is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV, one component of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS)) capable of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) primarily for the United States Air Force (USAF). The MQ-9 and other UAVs ...
Unlike the previous MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper (Predator B) drones, the Avenger is powered by a turbofan engine, and its design includes stealth features such as internal weapons storage and an S-shaped exhaust for reduced infrared and radar signatures. [3] Its first flight occurred on 4 April 2009. [4] [5]
Tier I: Small UAV. Role filled by the RQ-11A/B Raven. Tier II: Short Range Tactical UAV. Role filled by the RQ-7A/B Shadow 200. Tier III: Medium Range Tactical UAV. Role formerly filled by the MQ-5A/B Hunter and IGNAT/IGNAT-ER, but has transitioned to the Extended Range Multi-Purpose (ERMP) MQ-1C Gray Eagle.
The first use of armed UAVs was in 2001, in which an MQ-1 Predator was used to carry anti-tank missiles into Afghanistan, controlled by the Central Intelligence Agency. [2] Until 2006, flight hours by UAVs were not logged, though the DoD now states that millions of UAV flight hours have been logged. [3]
A Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UAV, the Gray Eagle has an increased wingspan compared to the original MQ-1 Predator and is powered by a Thielert Centurion 1.7 Heavy Fuel Engine (HFE). [24] This is a Diesel piston engine that burns jet fuel, giving the aircraft better performance at high altitudes.
The 26th Weapons Squadron is the first unmanned aircraft systems weapons squadron, and specializes in training and producing MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper pilots and sensor operators. Missions for the 26th Weapons Squadron are flown from Nellis Air Force Base , as opposed to Creech Air Force Base , where most UAS operations are currently underway.
Grey Butte Field, outside El Mirage, California, is used by General Atomics as an operational testing facility for their Predator drones. [2] The Predator UAV. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is a military contractor and subsidiary of General Atomics that designs and manufactures unmanned aerial vehicles and radar systems for the U.S. military and commercial applications ...