General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

United States

• Max Altitude>40,000 ft MSL
• Max Endurance40 hr
• Max Airspeed210 KTAS

GA-ASI is developing a variant of the Predator® B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) which will initially meet NATO standards (STANAG-4671) in 2017, and in cooperation with the FAA will subsequently meet domestic airworthiness certification standards. It leverages both the Predator B RPA and Advanced Cockpit Ground Control Station (GCS) as points of departure systems and identifies and incorporates the changes needed to achieve a "Type-Certifiable" Predator B system. Both hardware and software upgrades will be made, such as improved Predator B structural fatigue and damage tolerance and more robust flight control software, as well as enhancements allowing operations in adverse weather including icing conditions. Additionally, the aircraft will be designed to survive bird and lightning strikes. MQ-9B is highly modular and is easily configured with a variety of payloads to meet mission requirements. The aircraft is capable of carrying multiple mission payloads and includes a state-of-the art Detect and Avoid (DAA) system including space, weight, and power provisions to enable the retrofitting of an airborne Due Regard Radar (DRR) for operation in non-cooperative airspace.

• Max Altitude25,000 ft
• Max Enduranc35 hr
• Max Airspeed120 KTAS

Predator XP features an automatic takeoff and landing system (ATLS) that allows the aircraft to be launched and recovered without any operator interaction. Its ATLS is based upon GA-ASI's Gray Eagle ATLS which has conducted tens of thousands of takeoffs and landings successfully. GA-ASI's Claw® integrated sensor payload control and analysis software is available with Predator XP. Claw features moving-map displays, enables cross-cueing of all onboard sensors, pre-mission planning, and post-mission sensor data analysis and exploitation. Offering unsurpassed ISR capabilities, Predator XP is available now to support a variety of overland and maritime Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions worldwide

• Max Altitude29,000 ft
• Max Endurance25 hr
• Max Airspeed167 KTAS

An essential element of the U.S. Army's Aviation Modernization Plan, GA-ASI's Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) is an innovative and technologically advanced derivative of the combat-proven Predator®. Gray Eagle offers a reliable, affordable, low-risk, and compelling next-generation tactical UAS solution to meet challenging service requirements for persistent Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) and attack operations. Gray Eagle has an endurance of 25 hours, speeds up to167 KTAS, can operate up to 29, 000 feet, and carries 1, 075 lb (488 kg) of internal and external payload. The aircraft can carry multiple payloads aloft, including Electro-opticalInfrared (EOIR) with laser designation, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), communications relay, and four Hellfire missiles. Compared to the Predator predecessor, Gray Eagle's Heavy Fuel Engine (HFE) supports the Army's "single fuel in the battlefield" concept and provides increased horsepower and significantly improved fuel efficiency, utilizing either jet or diesel fuel. An extremely reliable UAS, Gray Eagle features a fault-tolerant control system and a triple-redundant avionics system architecture, similar to the systems integrated in the battle-proven Predator B. Designed with airworthiness as a primary consideration, Gray Eagle is engineered to meet and exceed manned aircraft reliability standards.

• Max Altitude29,000 ft
• Max Endurance48 hr
• Max Airspeed167 KTAS

Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) is a next-generation advanced derivative of the battle-proven Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). GE-ER delivers long-endurance UAS surveillance, communications relay, and weapons delivery missions in support of the warfighter. The aircraft delivers an advanced UAS capability for the Army, adding greater endurance and more payload carriage, with increased reliability. First flown in July 2013, GE-ER builds upon the successes of its Gray Eagle predecessor, delivering upgraded, game-changing capabilities for saving the lives of Army soldiers abroad by providing extended surveillance coverage, along with the ability to self-transit to distant locations. GE-ER is engineered with a Max Gross Takeoff Weight (MGTOW) of 4, 200 pounds, utilizing a high-performance diesel engine compared with the Gray Eagle's GTOW of 3, 600 pounds with a 160HP diesel engine. The incorporation of GE-ER's deep belly design and 500-pound centerline hard point allows for 860 pounds of internal fuel load, with an optional external fuel pod that can accommodate an additional 450 pounds (Gray Eagle's fuel load is 575 pounds). Use of this extra fuel supports Army Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) missions in excess of 50 hours. In October 2013, GE-ER flew nearly two days straight during endurance flight testing at GA-ASI's El Mirage Flight Operations Facility in Adelanto, California. GE-ER's internal payload capacity, combined with its increased engine horsepower, provides growth capability for an improved airworthiness design, with the potential of incorporating lightning protection, damage tolerance, and Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) features.

• Max Altitude50,000 ft
• Max Endurance27 hr
• Max Airspeed240 KTAS

Designated MQ-9 Reaper® by its U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force customers, the turboprop-powered, multi-mission Predator® B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) was developed with GA-ASI funding and provides significantly greater capabilities than Predator. First flown in 2001, Predator B is a highly sophisticated development built on the experience gained with the company's battle-proven Predator RPA and is a major evolutionary leap forward in overall performance and reliability. Featuring unmatched operational flexibility, Predator B has an endurance of over 27 hours, speeds of 240 KTAS, can operate up to 50, 000 feet, and has a 3, 850 pound (1746 kilogram) payload capacity that includes 3, 000 pounds (1361 kilograms) of external stores. Twice as fast as Predator, the aircraft carries 500% more payload and has nine times the horsepower. It provides a long-endurance, persistent surveillancestrike capability for the war fighter.

• Max Altitude50,000 ft
• Max Endurance18 hr
• Max Airspeed400 KTAS

As with Predator® B, Predator C Avenger® was developed through the foresight and funding of GA-ASI. Its unique design, reduced signature, and speed increases its survivability in higher threat environments and provides potential customers with an expanded quick-response armed reconnaissance capability. The first flight of Predator C occurred in April 2009. The aircraft is currently in an expanded flight test program. The high-speed, multi-mission Avenger is a long-endurance, medium-to-high-altitude Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) system that can perform wide-area surveillance, time-sensitive strike missions over land or sea, and a host of other challenging military missions. The aircraft has much higher operational and transit speeds than current Predator-series aircraft, resulting in quick response and rapid repositioning for improved mission flexibility and survivability. Avenger is a highly advanced, next-generation RPA. The jet-powered aircraft is equipped with a Pratt and Whitney PW545B turbofan engine capable of producing 4, 800 pounds installed thrust. The engine is designed for greater fuel economy and features class-leading fuel consumption components. Avenger can operate at speeds up to 400 KTAS, a maximum altitude of 50, 000 feet, and 18 hours endurance. Its significant payload capacity enables it to carry multiple sensors, while its internal weapons bay can house 3, 500 pounds of precision munitions.Max Altitude