RQ-1 Predator
IOC: 1995
Total Production: 223
MQ-1 Predator
IOC: 2005
Production: 15
Unitary Cost: USD$3.0 million
Also Known As
MQ-1B
MQ-1L Block 10
Origin
United States of America
Contractor/s
General Atomics
Applications
GCS
Family Members
Altair
Mariner
MQ-1B Predator Block X
MQ-9A Reaper
RQ-1B Predator
Guided Missiles:
AGM-114K Hellfire II (2)
Sensors & Communications:
ASIP-1C
MTS-A
Other:
GCS
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Description:
The Predator is a medium altitude, long endurance, unmanned aerial vehicle system for use in risk areas minimizing to human life. It is a theater asset for reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition in support of Joint Force commander. General Atomics had developed a complete family of unmanned aerial vehicles based on Predator to meet the needs of of a wide range of customers both civil and military. Predator family includes Predator B, I-GNAT, Altus, Altair, Warrior and I-GNAT ER which are operated by the United States Armed Forces, NASA, NOAA and the US government as well as by the Italian Air Force and the Turkish Army.
The RQ-1A/B is a system consisting of 4 Predator air vehicles, a ground control station (GCS), a Predator primary satellite link communication suite, and 55 people for continuous 24-hour operations. The Predator UAV has C-band line-of-sight data-link or a Ku-band satellite data-link for beyond line-of-sight operations. The payload can be a CCD-TV camera, a variable aperture Infrared camera, and a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for looking through smoke, clouds and haze. On the RQ-1B, either the CCD-TV or IR camera may be operated simultaneously with the SAR.
For ease of operation and rapid deployment, each Predator UAV can be disassembled into 6 main components and loaded in a container. A 5,000 by 125 feet (1,524 by 38 meters) runway is requested for UAVs takeoff and land operations. The improved RQ-1B Predator UAV features an ARC-210 radio, APX-100 IFF, ice mitigation system, upgraded engine, and validated technical orders for operations and maintenance.
The MQ-1 configuration refers to Munitions (M) capable and enables the Predator UAV to carry precision guided and smart munitions such as the Hellfire laser-guided anti-tank missile and the BAT smart weapon. The US Air Force intends to provide the AAS-52 Multi-Spectral Targeting system to MQ-1 configured Predators to guide two Hellfire anti-tank missiles carried by the aircraft. The AAQS-52 also provides surveillance capability through its built-in EO and IR sensors.
The MQ-1 Predator was deployed successfully for the first time during the Afghan campaign in 2001 and subsequently during operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. The US Air Force announced the aircraft had reached Initial Operating Capability (IOC) on March 1, 2005.
On 21 June 2005 General Atomics was awarded a $73 million contract to speed up procurement of 17 Predator aircraft, production of 15 MQ-1L Block 10, support equipment, aircraft initial spares, readiness spares package kits, and multi-aircraft ground control station initial spares. The US Air Force as the main customer expected delivery of those items to be complete by September 2008.
Specifications
Accommodation: Unmanned
Dimensions: Height 2.1 m, Length 8.2 m, Wingspan 14.8 m
Weights: Max Weight 1,020 kg (2,249 lb), Min Weight 513 kg (1,131 lb), Payload 205 kg (452 lb)
Performance: Ceiling 7,620 m (25,000 ft), Cruise Speed 38 mps (135 kph), Endurance 24 hours, Max Range 741 km (400 nm), Top Speed 60 mps (217 kph)
Power: Power 119 shp
Other: Number of Engines 1
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United States of America