General Atomics MQ-1 Predator

The MQ-1 Predator is an American UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles). The MQ-1 Predator was crated in 1995 but his existence only was confirmed in 2004.

Description

MQ-1 Predator

The Predator-A is the first of a family of unmanned aerial vehicles manufactured in the USA with a capacity to transport weapons or sensors for surveillance. Initially he was known by the acronym RQ-1 (R for reconnaissance). Although it has come into use in 1996, the Predator-A was only officially declared operational in 2004.

Designed with two points on the wings where they carry weapons, he was thought to be able to attack ground targets using Hellfire missiles of the type which can either used. The against armored targets and against buildings. The operating range of operational aircraft is approximately 700 km away it can stay aloft for a long time and can travel a distance of up to 8500 km .

Variants

• Predator-A: the base version that entered service in 1996.
• Sky Warrior, a newer version of the Predator -A greater capacity to transport weapons. This version aims to be able to produce a UAV with the latest technology but at a lower price.
• Predator-B/Reaper It is characterized by a different configuration of Helms and larger.
• Predator B/Mariner : A version of the Predator B adapted for naval use
• Predator B /Altair : Version of scientific research, based on the Predator B
• Predator C / Avenger

Present study is in the Predator-C, which should have a turbine engine instead of the propeller. Expected to have even more capacity to carry weapons and greater autonomy.

Operators

Italy

• Aeronautica Militare
  • 32° Stormo — Foggia, Amendola Air Force Base
    • 28° Gruppo

United Kingdom

• Royal Air Force
  • No. 1115 Flight RAF

Turkey

• Turkish Air Force: The Turkish Air Force has on order 6 MQ-1 Predators via the USA's Foreign Military Sales mechanism.

United States

• United States Air Force Air Combat Command
• 432d Air Expeditionary Wing — Creech Air Force Base, Nevada
  • 11th Reconnaissance Squadron
  • 15th Reconnaissance Squadron
  • 17th Reconnaissance Squadron
  • 18th Reconnaissance Squadron
• 49th Fighter Wing – Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico
  • 849th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

• • 53d Wing — Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
• 556th Test and Evaluation Squadron — Creech Air Force Base, Nevada
• Air Force Special Operations Command
  • 27th Special Operations Wing – Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico
    • 3d Special Operations Squadron
• Air National Guard
• Air Force Reserve Command
  • 919th Special Operations Wing – Duke Field
    • 2d Special Operations Squadron
• Central Intelligence Agency
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Specifications

General Characteristics

• Crew: none on-board
• Length: 27 ft (8.22 m)
• Wingspan: 48.7 ft (14.8 m (dependent on block of aircraft))
• Height: 6.9 ft (2.1 m)
• Wing area: 123.3 sq ft (11.5 m²)
• Empty weight: 1,130 lb (512 kg)
• Loaded weight: 2,250 lb (1,020 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 2,250 lb (1,020 kg)
• Powerplant: 1× Rotax 914F turbocharged Four-cylinder engine, 115 hp (86 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 135 mph (117 knots, 217 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 81–103 mph (70–90 knots, 130–165 km/h)
• Stall speed: 62 mph (54 knots (dependent on weight of aircraft), 100 km/h)
• Range: >2,000 nm (3,704 km, 2,302 miles (3,705 km))
• Endurance: 24 hours
• Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,620 m)

Armament

2x hardpoints in each wing

• 2 × AGM-114 Hellfire (MQ-1B)
• AIM-92 Stinger (unknown number) (MQ-1B)
• Griffin air-to-surface missiles

Avionics

• ASIP-1C
• AN/AAS-52