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Product Type: |
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) |
Using Service (US): |
Air Force (Predator/Reaper) |
Program Status: |
In Production |
Prime Contractor: |
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems |
The MQ-1B Predator, MQ-1C Gray Eagle, and MQ-9 Reaper aka Predator B are Unmanned Aerial Vehicles/Systems (UAV/UAS)
manufactured by General Atomics Corporation.
The aircraft can be transported onboard a Lockheed Martin
C-130 Hercules
or larger military transport aircraft. In the following, we will also be highlighting the differences between the Predator and Reaper.
The MQ-1B Predator is used for close-air-support, air interdiction, and intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance (ISR) missions and is powered by a single Rotax 914F four cylinder aviation fuel piston engine engine with 115 hp.
It provides armed reconnaissance, airborne surveillance and target acquisition
for the U.S. Air Force. The Predator has a wingspan of 55 feet, is 27 feet long, 6.9 feet high
and carries a payload of up to 450 pounds and has a maximum speed of 135 mph (217 km/h).
The MQ-1B Predator is equipped with the Raytheon
AN/AAS-52 Multi-spectral Targeting System (MTS-A), which includes Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR) video cameras and laser designators.
The MQ-1B carries up to two AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.
In March 2011, the USAF received the last of a total of 268 Predators and focus has now shifted to sustainment.
In August 2011, the Predator passed the one million flight hour mark.
The MQ-1C Gray Eagle is powered by a single Thielert 2.0L heavy-fuel piston engine with 165 hp.
It provides an unmanned long-endurance and persistent ISR and tactical strike capability.
The Gray Eagle has a wingspan of 56 feet, is 28 feet long, and carries a payload
of up to 1,075 pounds. The Gray Eagle is equipped with the Raytheon
AN/AAS-53 Common Sensor Payload (CSP), which includes Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) video cameras and laser designators.
The MQ-1C also features a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), communications relay,
and carries up to four AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.
The MQ–9 Reaper is powered by a Honeywell TPE331-10GD turboprop engine with 900 shp.
The Reaper is a multi-mission ISR and strike UAV/UAS and is significantly larger than the Predator and Gray Eagle.
Also, it features a more powerful engine and carries a much greater payload.
The MQ-9 has a wingspan of 66 feet, is 36 feet long, 12.5 feet heigh, and carries a payload of up to 3,850 pounds
and flies at speeds of up to 276 mph (444 km/h).
The aircraft is equipped with the Raytheon
Multi-spectral Targeting System (MTS-B), which has a suite of visual sensors for targeting.
The MTS-B integrates an infrared sensor, a color/monochrome daylight TV camera, an image-intensified TV camera,
a laser designator, and a laser illuminator. Also, the Reaper features the Lynx multi-mode radar (from General Atomics),
a multi-mode maritime surveillance radar, a SIGINT/Electronic Support Measures (ESM) system, and a communications relay.
The MQ-9 carries up to 14 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.
For more information about the types of ordnance carried by the MQ-9, please see Armament/Weapons section below.
The main difference between the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper is the size, role, and payload.
The Reaper is mainly used as an attack UAV (hunter-killer) and thus carries significantly more ordnance (see armament below for more information).
The Predator's primary role is ISR.
The MQ-1 Predator can be equipped with two AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, while the MQ-1C Gray Eagle carries twice that amount. The MQ-9 Reaper carries a broader range of ordnance and can be equipped with as many as 14 Hellfire missiles; or a combination of four Hellfire missiles and two GBU-12 Paveway II Laser-Guided Bombs; or two 500-pound GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM).
The MQ-1B Predator is no longer being purchased by the Air Force. The unit cost of the Army's MQ-1C Gray Eagle is $4.33 million in 2012, while the MQ-9 Reaper costs $11.38 million. These prices are for UAVs only and does not include the cost of ground stations and other associated equipment. For the cost of these items, please refer to the budget downloads below.
The MQ-1 Predator provides the U.S. Air Force with an Over-The-Horizon (OTH), long-endurance, medium-altitude Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) and weapons delivery capability. MQ-1C Gray Eagle provides the U.S. Army with a long-endurance, persistent ISR and tactical strike capability. The Gray Eagle also serves as a communications relay. The MQ-9 Reaper performs multi-mission ISR and hunter-killer missions over land and sea in support of U.S. Air Force operations.
Continues implementation of transformation towards development and fielding of UAVs. Predator and Reaper aircraft support 50 Combat Air Patrols (CAP)/orbits by the end of year FY 2011 and 65 CAPs by the end of FY 2013. The DoD plans to purchase 48x MQ-9 Reaper and 43x MQ-1C Gray Eagle in FY 2012.
Continues development, transformation and fielding of Predator and Reaper aircraft and ground stations to support 65 healthy Combat Air Patrols (CAP)/orbits by FY 2017. The DoD plans to purchase 24x MQ-9 Reaper and 19x MQ-1C Gray Eagle in FY 2013.
Source: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and General Atomics Corp.
Last Update: April 15, 2013.
By Joakim Kasper Oestergaard /// (jkasper@bga-aeroweb.com)
General Atomics' MQ-1B Site: MQ-1B Predator
General Atomics' MQ-1C Site: MQ-1C Gray Eagle
General Atomics' MQ-9 Site: MQ-9 Reaper
YouTube: MQ-1 Predator on YouTube
YouTube: MQ-9 Reaper on YouTube
Fact Sheet: MQ-1B Predator Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet: MQ-1C Gray Eagle Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet: MQ-9 Reaper Fact Sheet
MQ-1 U.S. Defense Budget Charts: |
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MQ-9 U.S. Defense Budget Charts: |
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| Purchases of MQ-1C Aircraft (ARMY) | MQ-1C Aircraft Modifications (ARMY) | Special Operations MQ-1 (SOCOM) |
| MQ-1 Predator Modifications (USAF) |
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Primary Function: Armed reconnaissance, airborne surveillance and target acquisition |
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Primary Function: Long-endurance, persistent ISR and tactical strike capability |
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Primary Function: Unmanned hunter/killer weapon system |
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