General Atomics Aeronautical
General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper (Predator-B)
First flight 2 February 2001
General Atomics
MQ-9 Reaper
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| General information | |
|---|---|
| Type | Unmanned combat aerial vehicle |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | General Atomics Aeronautical Systems |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | United States Air Force |
| Number built | 300+ as of 2021[1] |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1 May 2007 |
| First flight | 2 February 2001; 23 years ago |
| Developed from | General Atomics MQ-1 Predator |
| Developed into | |
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History General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper (Predator-B)
First flight 2 February 2001
The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper (sometimes called Predator B) is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV, one component of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS)) capable of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) primarily for the United States Air Force (USAF). The MQ-9 and other UAVs are referred to as Remotely Piloted Vehicles/Aircraft (RPV/RPA) by the USAF to indicate ground control by humans.
The MQ-9 is a larger, heavier, more capable aircraft than the earlier General Atomics MQ-1 Predator and can be controlled by the same ground systems. The Reaper has a 950-shaft-horsepower (712 kW) turboprop engine (compared to the Predator's 115 hp (86 kW) piston engine). The greater power allows the Reaper to carry 15 times more ordnance payload and cruise at about three times the speed of the MQ-1
Variants
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Operation
The satellite antenna and sensors of an NOAA-NASA flight demonstrator, 2005 MQ-9 Reaper crews (pilots and sensor operators), stationed at bases such as Creech Air Force Base, near Las Vegas, Nevada, can hunt for targets and observe terrain using multiple sensors, including a thermographic camera. One claim was that the onboard camera is able to read a license plate from two miles (3.2 km) away. An operator's command takes 1.2 seconds to reach the drone via a satellite link.
The MQ-9 is fitted with six stores pylons. The inner stores pylons can carry a maximum of 1,500 pounds (680 kg) each and allow carriage of external fuel tanks. The mid-wing stores pylons can carry a maximum of 600 pounds (270 kg) each, while the outer stores pylons can carry a maximum of 200 pounds (91 kg) each. An MQ-9 with two 1,000-pound (450 kg) external fuel tanks and 1,000 pounds (450 kg) of munitions has an endurance of 42 hours. The Reaper has an endurance of 14 hours when fully loaded with munitions
Photo Gallery
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper (Predator-B)
First flight 2 February 2001
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper
General Info 1
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- Crew: 0 onboard, 2 in ground station
- Length: 36 ft 1 in (11 m)
- Wingspan: 65 ft 7 in (20 m)
- Height: 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m)
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General Info 2
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- Max takeoff weight: (4,760 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 4,000 lb (1,800 kg)
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Payload: 3,800 lb (1,700 kg)
- Internal: 800 lb (360 kg)
- External: 3,000 lb (1,400 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop, 900 hp (671 kW) with Digital Electronic Engine Control (DEEC)
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General Info 3
- Maximum speed: 300 mph (482 km/h
- Cruise speed: 194 mph (313 km/h,
- Range: 1,200 mi (1,900 km, 1,000 nmi)
- Endurance: 27 hr
- Service ceiling: (15,420 m)
Armament
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- 7 hardpoints
- Up to 1,500 lb (680 kg) on the two inboard weapons stations
- Up to 750 lb (340 kg) on the two middle stations
- Up to 150 lb (68 kg) on the outboard stations
- Center station not used
- 7 hardpoints
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Links to Youtube & Others
The General Atomics "Predator B-001", a proof-of-concept aircraft, first flew on 2 February 2001. Abraham Karem is the designer of the Predator.
General Atomics
MQ-9 Reaper
MQ-9 Reaper crews (pilots and sensor operators), stationed at bases such as Creech Air Force Base, near Las Vegas, Nevada,
Youtube Link
As of 2018 the USAF had taken delivery of 287 out of 366 MQ-9 Reapers on contract with General Atomics
Read more in eneral Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI)
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