MQ-1 Predator Unmanned combat aerial vehicle (United States)
Channel: Main Battle Tank
Date: 23/01/2023

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The MQ-1 Predator is a drone that changed the world. It’s a battle hardened Unmanned Aerial Combat Vehicle (UACV) which has proven its mettle in combat. A high end aircraft which is controlled by the crew on the ground is capable of dropping bombs, making aerial survey and reconnaissance and other support roles.

   A brainchild of CIA and Pentagon since the late 1980s, they tried different combinations like GNAT 750 while finally awarding the Predator contract to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to build and manufacture a Technology Demonstrator. It was first used in combat in 2001 in Afghanistan.

   Predators are operational with United States Air Force (USAF) since 1995 and have played a crucial role during military conflicts in Bosnia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Somalia, Philippines, Libya while supporting NATO and UN in its operations clocking over 500 000 flight hours across the decade. In total, 360 Predators are currently in service with the USAF. Other operators are Italy (4), Turkey (9), United Arab Emirates (4) and Morocco (4).

   The Predator was used to recon and eliminate Al-Qaeda and its affiliate terror outfits in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

   This drone is powered by a Rotax 914 four cylinder engine which develops 101 horsepower. The engine rotates a two-blade propeller, mounted at the rear. This UAV has a tops speed of up to 217 km/h and can reach altitude of 7 620 m.

   The Predator is lightweight and can carry a payload of up to 204 kg. This UAV has a large fuel tank capable of storing 378 liters (100 gallon) of fuel which means it can stay in air with full load for 24 hours for monitoring and air support. Maximum unloaded endurance of up to 40 hours.

   Several missiles are compatible with this UAV, including the AGM-114 Hellfire, and AGM-176 Griffin air-to-ground missiles. There are plans to equip this UAV with AIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missiles for self-defense. Missiles are carried on 2 hard points under the wings. The Predator uses on-board computer and laser to guide the missiles on the target.

   Apart from this arsenal, the Predator houses a whole lot of sensors and state of the art avionics under its skin. It contains synthetic aperture radar antenna, an inertial navigation system, Ku-band communications antenna, GPS, friend or foe identification transponder (it tells the machine which troops are friendly and which are hostile), and a video recorder in its nose camera.

   This UAV brought a new dynamics into the war and conflicts. As now the hostile areas can be monitored for activity without risking precious lives of the soldiers. Later the MQ-1 Predator was developed into MQ-1C Gray Eagle and MQ-9 Reaper.

   The price of the MQ-1 Predator drone is $4 Million.