RQ-1/MQ-1/ MQ-9 Predator
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The Predator MAE UAV was developed as an ACTD from January 1994 to June 1996.
Because the Predator is small, white, and almost invisible in the sky, people don't realize they're being watched. Its 80-horsepower four-stroke Rotax 912 engine is virtually silent at altitude but as annoying as a chainsaw on the ground.
The aircraft can be picked up on radar, but most search radar systems filter out low-speed targets so that they don't pick out birds or objects that don't pose threats.
The Predator can fly at around 70 mph, slow enough to hide from such radars. It can fly for over 24 hours and out over 500 miles.
According to the 'The Air Force Fact Sheet' the RQ-1A needs 5,000 by 125 feet of a hard surface runway. In addition, the vehicle requires line-of-sight with the GCS and all support components for the Predator system must be at a single location.
A Jet-powered version of the predator B, The MQ-9A Predator B, flies faster, higher and carries more weapons than the Predator.
The Honeywell TP331-10 engine, producing 950 shp, provides a maximum airspeed of 260 kts and a cruise speed for maximum endurance of 150-170 kts. The MQ-9B can carry a payload mix of 1,500 lb. on each of its two inboard weapons stations, 500-600 lb. on the two middle stations and 150-200 lb. on the outboard stations.
The first production MQ-9B had been built by late 2002, at which time three more were under construction, with 3-4 to follow in 2003 and full production of 9-15/year to be reached in 2004.
Specifications
| Version: | MQ-1 | MQ-9 Predator-B (Hunter-Killer) | Manufacturer: | Country: | Type: | Propulsion: | Rotax 914 four-cylinder, four-stroke, turbocharged engine (1x) | Honeywell TPE 331-10T (1x) | Engine thrust: | 101 horsepower | 700 shaft horsepower | Length: | 26.3 ft || 8.02 m | 36 ft || 11m | Height: | 6.9 feet || 2.1 meters | 4 ft || 1.3 m | Wingspan: | 48.7ft || 14.84m | 66 ft || 20m | Weight (Take-Off): | <2,300lb || 1,035kg | 10,500 lb || 4763 kg | Max. Speed: | >70kt || 129km/h | 220kt || 407km/h | Range: | 400 nm | 1,300 nm || 2407 km | Ceiling: | 25,000ft || 7,620 m | 50,000ft || 15,000 m | Crew: | Unit cost: | $4.5 million | n/a |
Images
RQ-1 Predator:
MQ-1B Predator:
