The USAF RQ-1A Predator is a long endurance, medium altitude unmanned aircraft system for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The synthetic aperture radar, video cameras and a forward looking infra-red (FLIR) can provide surveillance imagery in real time both to the front line soldier and to the operational commander or worldwide via satellite communication.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems received the contract from USAF in January 1994 to execute the Tier II, Medium Altitude Endurance Predator Program. General Atomics is the prime contractor and the main subcontractors include: Versatron/Wescam for the electro-optical Skyball Gimbal; Northrop Grumman for the synthetic aperture radar; L3 Communication for the wideband satellite communications link; and Boeing for the intelligence workstation and mission planning system. The Predator first flew in 1994, entered production in August 1997, currently in production for the US Air Force and are operational with the USAF 11th and 15th Reconnaissance Squadrons. In March 1998, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems was awarded an additional 18 Predator aircraft, and in July 1999 a further 7, bringing the total to 60. The Italian Air Force are to acquire six Predator UAV from General Atomics, with Italian company Meteor as subcontractor responsible for assembly of five of the six.

A typical system configuration would include four aircraft, one ground control system and one Trojan Spirit II data distribution terminal. The endurance of the aircraft is more than 40 hours and the cruise speed is over 70 knots. The aircraft is equipped with UHF and VHF radio relay links, a C-band line-of-sight data link which has a range of 150 nautical miles and UHF and Ku-band satellite data links. The surveillance and reconnaissance payload capacity is 450 lbs. The 2 colour DLTV television is equipped with a variable zoom and 955 mm Spotter. The high resolution FLIR has 6 fields of view, 19 to 560 mm. The Northrop Grumman TESAR synthetic aperture radar which provides all-weather surveillance capability, has a resolution of 1 foot. Other selectable payload options meet mission requirements, include a laser designator and rangefinder, electronic support and countermeasures and a moving target indicator (MTI).

Image taken by Predator

The Ground Control Station is built into a single 30 ft trailer, containing pilot and payload operator consoles, three Boeing Data Exploitation and Mission Planning Consoles and two synthetic aperture radar workstations together with satellite and LOS (line of sight) ground data terminals.

The Station can send imagery data via a landline to the operational users or to the Trojan Spirit data distribution system. The Trojan Spirit II data distribution system is equipped with a 5.5 m dish for Ku-band Ground Data Terminal and a 2.4 m dish for data dissemination. The photo on the right shows the control pannel of the station, with the CRT above shown the info about flight tracks and another shown the vision from the camera onboard.

Predator follows a conventional launch sequence from a semi-prepared surface under direct line-of-sight control. The take-off and landing length is typically 2,000 feet. The mission can be controlled through line-of-site data links or through Ku-band satellite links to produce continuous video. Video signals received in the Ground Control Station are passed to the Trojan Spirit van for worldwide intelligence distribution or directly to operational users via a commercial global broadcast system. Command users are able to task the payload operator in real-time for images or video on demand.

Predator UAV's have been operational in Bosnia since 1995, where they have flown over 600 missions in support of NATO, UN and US operations. In May 1998, the Block 1 Upgrade contract is held to expand the capabilities of the Predator system. Upgrades include development of an improved relief-on-station (ROS) system, which allows continuous coverage over areas of interest without any loss of time on station, secure air traffic control voice relay, Ku-band satellite tuning and implementation of an Air Force Mission Support System (AFMSS).

The Predator aircraft is 27 ft in length and has a 49 ft wingspan. The system operates at an altitude of 25,000 ft and at a range of 400 nautical miles.

In Mar 2001, the Predator-B 001 UAV made its first flight. The B project includes 3 different UAV. The 001 type is equiped with a GE TPE-331-10T turboprop engine. The maxium takeoff weight is 6393 lbs, payload 750 lbs. It can fly at 370km/h at 15200m altitude. The Predator-B 002 will use Willams FJ44-2A turbojet engine, and can fly at 500km/h at 18300m altitude, which will have the test fly in Autumn 2001. The last variation of Predator-B, the ALTAIR, will be equiped with GE turboprop engine and it is a civilian purpose UAV. ALTAIR will research the atmosphere, the data will be sent by satellite system in real time.

In Feb 2001, Predator has completed an initial set of armament trials with the Hellfire anti-tank missile. The AGM-114 destroied the tank 5600m away. Mar 27th 2001, the General Atomics got a 39 million contract for more 7 predator for USAF, another 7 ones are in planning. And the onflight UAV-to-Fighter image transmission test is held recently.

The next step of the development includes firing FIM-92 Stinger ground-to-air missle.

Sep 2001, Iraq said that they had shot down a Predator. The Predator also join the mission in Afghanistan, it was said the sensor on the aircraft had once caught the vehicle of Osama, but delayed the decission of the ground commanders. After a month, one Predator successfully sent back the real time video of place that one of the Laden`s high rank officer hiding. The F-15Es bombed there later and killed this officer.

length-320.4 in.
span-580.8 in.
height- 72.0 in.
Frequency: C-band
type- 110 LL avgas
capacity- 110 liters Endurance:
24 hours on station at 500NM
40 hours Payloads:
modular Operational
Altitudes (ISA):
to 26,000 ft. MSL
Speeds:
stall- 54 kts
cruise- 70-90 kts
dash-120 kts Max. Gross
Take-off Weight:
2100 lbs Weather limits:
T/O cross winds-15 kts
T/O head winds- 30 kts

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