The MQ-1 Predator UAV is one of America’s most prolific and productive drones, having notched more than a million hours of flight time since its introduction in 1994. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for continued improvement to the platform. In fact, General Atomics has also been hard at work with a slightly less deadly version that can fly for twice as long.
Dubbed the Grey Eagle and introduced in 2004, this Mid-Altitude Long Endurance UAV is built more for reconnaissance than remote missile strikes. The UAV is outfitted with a Synthetic Aperture Radar/Ground Moving Target Indicator (SAR-GMTI) system as well as an AN/AAS-52 Multi-spectral Targeting System (MTS) for target acquisition and tracking as well as overwatch and convoy scouting operations. That’s not to say its toothless, however. The Grey Eagle can tote up to 360kg of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles or GBU-44/B Viper Strike guided bombs.
The Grey Eagle also has exceptional longevity in the air, especially after its latest engine upgrade, replacing the smaller 165hp Thielert diesel. Not only does the new engine carry twice the fuel supply (590kg vs the earlier’s 260kg), it also increases the UAV’s maximum takeoff weight to 1900kg from 1630kg, and internal payload capacity by an extra 64kg to a total of 245kg. The new engine provides a service ceiling of nearly 10,000m and can remain aloft for over half a day longer than its predecessor, flying for up to 45 hours straight.
The Grey Eagle platform has logged more than 80,000 hours of flight time, including an impressive total of 20,000 successful auto-launches using the automatic takeoff and landing system (ATLS). Good thing too, since the Grey Eagles can now stay up far longer than even the most caffeinated drone operator. [Wiki – AIN – GA-ASI]