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U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet

MQ-1B PREDATOR

Mission

The MQ-1B Predator is a mediumaltitude, long-endurance, unmanned

aircraft system. The Predator's primary

missions are close air support, air

interdiction, and intelligence, surveillance

and reconnaissance, or ISR. It acts as a

Joint Forces Air Component

Commander-owned theater asset for

reconnaissance, surveillance and target

acquisition in support of the Joint Forces

Commander. 

Features

The MQ-1B Predator is a system, not just an aircraft. A fully operational system

consists of four aircraft (with sensors and weapons), a ground control station, or GCS,

a Predator Primary Satellite Link, or PPSL, and spare equipment along with

operations and maintenance crews for deployed 24-hour operations. 

The basic crew for the Predator is a rated pilot to control the aircraft and command the

mission and an enlisted aircrew member to operate sensors and weapons plus a

mission coordinator, when required. The crew employs the aircraft from inside the

GCS via a line-of-sight data link or a satellite data link for beyond line-of-sight

operations. 

The MQ-1B Predator carries the Multi-spectral Targeting System, or MTS-A, which

integrates an infrared sensor, a color/monochrome daylight TV camera, an imageintensified TV camera, a laser designator and a laser illuminator into a single package.

The full motion video from each of the imaging sensors can be viewed as separate

video streams or fused together. The aircraft can employ two laser-guided AGM-114

Hellfire missiles which possess a highly accurate, low collateral damage, and antiarmor and anti-personnel engagement capability. 

The system can be deployed for worldwide operations. The Predator aircraft can be

disassembled and loaded into a container for travel. The ground control system and

PPSL are transportable in a C-130 Hercules (or larger) transport aircraft. The Predator

can operate on a 5,000 by 75 foot (1,524 meters by 23 meters) hard surface runway

with clear line-of-sight to the ground data terminal antenna. The antenna provides

line-of-sight communications for takeoff and landing. The PPSL provides over-thehorizon communications for the aircraft and sensors. 

An alternate method of employment, Remote Split Operations, employs a

GCS for takeoff and landing operations at the forward operating location while the
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CONUS based crew executes the mission via beyond-line-of-sight links. 

The aircraft has an ARC-210 radio, an APX-100 IFF/SIF with Mode 4, and an

upgraded turbocharged engine. The latest upgrades, which enhance maintenance and

performance, include notched tails, split engine cowlings, braided steel hoses and

improved engine blocks. 

Background

The Predator system was designed in response to a Department of Defense

requirement to provide persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance

information combined with a kill capability to the warfighter.

In April 1996, the secretary of defense selected the U.S. Air Force as the operating

service for the RQ-1 Predator system. The "R" is the Department of Defense

designation for reconnaissance aircraft. The "M" is the DOD designation for multirole, and "Q" means unmanned aircraft system. The "1" refers to the aircraft being the

first of the series of remotely piloted aircraft systems.

A change in designation from "RQ-1" to "MQ-1" occurred in 2002 with the addition

of the AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, enabling reaction against ISR, CAS and

interdiction targets.

Active-duty operational squadrons are the 15th and 17th Reconnaissance Squadrons

at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. Another unit at Creech AFB, the 11th RS, is the

formal training unit and provides initial training for MQ-1B crews. The 6th RS is

standing up as a second FTU at Holloman AFB, N. M. Air Force Reserve Command

operates the 78th RS also from Creech AFB. The Air National Guard operates the

111th RS in Texas, the 178th RS in North Dakota, the 196th RS in California and the

214th RS in Arizona.

General Characteristics

Primary Function: Armed reconnaissance, airborne surveillance and target

acquisition 

Contractor: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. 

Power Plant: Rotax 914F four cylinder engine 

Thrust: 115 horsepower

Wingspan: 55 feet (16.8 meters) 

Length: 27 feet (8.22 meters) 

Height: 6.9 feet (2.1 meters) 

Weight: 1,130 pounds ( 512 kilograms) empty 

Maximum takeoff weight: 2,250 pounds (1,020 kilograms) 

Fuel Capacity: 665 pounds (100 gallons) 

Payload: 450 pounds (204 kilograms) 

Speed: Cruise speed around 84 mph (70 knots), up to 135 mph 

Range: Up to 770 miles (675 nautical miles) 

Ceiling: Up to 25,000 feet (7,620 meters) 

Armament: Two laser-guided AGM-114 Hellfire missiles

Crew (remote): Two (pilot and sensor operator)

Initial operational capability: March 2005 

Unit Cost: $20 million (fiscal 2009 dollars) (includes four aircraft, a ground control

station and a Predator Primary Satellite Link)

Inventory: Active force, 130; ANG, 8; Reserve, 0

Point of Contact
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Air Combat Command, Public Affairs Office; 130 Andrews St., Suite 202; Langley

AFB, VA 23665-1987; DSN 574-5007 or 757-764-5007; e-mail:

accpa.operations@langley.af.mil