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MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle UAV Drone
 
 
 
MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle UAV data sheet specifications information description intelligence identification pictures photos images US Army United States American defence industry Law enforcement homeland security vehicle
 
Description
The MQ-1 Predator is a medium altitude, long endurance, unmanned aerial vehicle system for use in risk areas minimizing to human life.The MQ-1 Predator is designed and manufactured by the American Company General Atomics Aeronautical. Since 1995, Predator has logged over 405,000 flight hours, of which over more than half have been during combat area deployments to the Balkans, Southwest Asia, and the Middle East where Predator operates in support of U.S. and NATO forces. Based upon the success of the program, the U.S. Department of Defense transitioned the Predator program to full rate production in August 1997, marking it as the first Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) program to be designated an Acquisition Category II Program. Predators are currently in production for the U.S. and Italian Air Force. Land-based Predators have demonstrated the ability to support maritime forces including carrier battle groups, amphibious ready groups, and submarines. Predator is the only reconnaissance system available in the U.S. inventory that can provide near real-time video imagery day or night in all weather conditions via satellite worldwide - without exposing pilots to combat fire. As the first successful unmanned aircraft surveillance program, Predator provides tactical and strategic intelligence to operational commanders worldwide. In July 1995, Air Combat Command commissioned the 11th Reconnaissance Squadron, the U.S. Air Force’s first operational Predator squadron. The second Predator squadron, the 15th Reconnaissance, was commissioned in August 1997. The third Predator squadron, the 17th Reconnaissance, was commissioned in March 2002.
 
Variants
- Predator B: Predator B has the capacity to conduct multiple missions simultaneously due to its large internal and external payload capacity.
 
Technical Data
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Armament
The MQ-1 Predator has been configured with air-to-air or air-to-ground weapons as well as a laser designator. THE MQ-1 Predator can carried precision guided and smart munitions such as the Hellfire laser-guided anti-tank missile and the BAT smart weapon.
Design
For ease of operation and rapid deployment, each Predator UAV can be disassembled into 6 main components and loaded in a container. This enables all system components and support equipment to be rapidly deployed worldwide. A 5,000 by 125 feet (1,524 by 38 meters) runway is requested for UAVs takeoff and land operations. The improved RQ-1B Predator UAV features an ARC-210 radio, APX-100 IFF, ice mitigation system, upgraded engine, and validated technical orders for operations and maintenance.
Mobility
The Predator, a growth evolution of the proven GNAT system, uses common avionics and mechanical systems and incorporates a Rotax 4-cylinder engine. The production version of the MQ-1 Predator aircraft is equipped with a turbo-charged Rotax 914 engine producing 105 horsepower. This UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) measures 8 m long, 2,10 m high. The Predator weighs 512 kg empty, and 1,043 kg Maximum Take Off Weight (MTOW). On a typical mission the Predator cruises at an altitude of up to 7,620 m and 112 – 135 km/h, with maximum speed of 218 km/h. The MQ-1 Predator can maintain a 40 hours patrol over a large area, at a distance of 645 km from its operating base. The payload capacity is 204 kg internal plus 136 kg in external stores, and fuel capacity 300 kg.
Accessories
Configured with a satellite data link system, Predator MQ-1 has an endurance of 40 hours and is equipped with an EO/IR stabilized gimbal containing two color video cameras and a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera as well as a synthetic aperture radar (SAR). Previously, Predators were equipped with a synthetic aperture radar for looking through smoke, clouds or haze, but lack of use validated its removal to reduce weight. The cameras produce full motion video and the synthetic aperture radar produced still frame radar images. There is sufficient bandwidth on the datalink for two video sources to be used at one time, but only one video source from the sensor ball can be used at any time due to design limitations. Either the daylight variable aperture or the infrared electro-optical sensor may be operated simultaneously with the synthetic aperture radar, if equipped. All later Predators are equipped with a laser designator that allows the pilot to identify targets for other aircraft and even provide the laser-guidance for manned aircraft. This laser is also the designator for the AGM-114 Hellfire that are carried on the MQ-1.
Combat use
The MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial vehicle (UAV) and sensors are controlled from the ground station via a C-band line-of-sight data link or a Ku-band satellite data link for beyond-line-of-sight operations. During flight operations the crew in the ground control station is a pilot and two sensor operators. The aircraft is equipped with the AN/AAS-52 Multi-spectral Targeting System, a color nose camera (generally used by the pilot for flight control), a variable aperture day-TV camera, and a variable aperture infrared camera (for low light/night). The ground control station can send imagery data via a landline to the operational users or to the Trojan Spirit data distribution system which is equipped with a 5.5m dish for Ku-band ground data terminal and a 2.4m dish for data dissemination.
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 2,000ft. 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. The MQ-1 Predator can be transported by tow light vehicles Humvee.
 
Specifications
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Armament
Hellfire laser-guided anti-tank missile and the BAT smart weapon.
Country users
United States, Italy
Designer Country
United States
Accessories
Colour TX, infared camera, laser target designator and rangefinder, ECM/ESM, moving target indicator, communications relay, C-band LOS, UHF and Ku-band satellite datalink, UHF and VHF radio, data distribution system.
Crew
3, 1 pilot and two sensor operators.
Altitude
7,620 m
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Weight
1,035 kg
Speed
129 km/h
Range
40 hours
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Dimensions
Lenght, 8,23 m; Wingspan, 14,84 m;
 
Details View
 
MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle UAV data sheet specifications information description intelligence identification pictures photos images US Army United States American defence industry Law enforcement homeland security vehicle
 
MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle UAV data sheet specifications information description intelligence identification pictures photos images US Army United States American defence industry Law enforcement homeland security vehicle
MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle UAV data sheet specifications information description intelligence identification pictures photos images US Army United States American defence industry Law enforcement homeland security vehicle
   
MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle UAV data sheet specifications information description intelligence identification pictures photos images US Army United States American defence industry Law enforcement homeland security vehicle MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle UAV data sheet specifications information description intelligence identification pictures photos images US Army United States American defence industry Law enforcement homeland security vehicle
 
Pictures - Video
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