MQ-9 Reaper (Predator B)

Overview:

The MQ-9 Reaper (originally the Predator B) is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) for use by the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, and the British Royal Air Force. The MQ-9 is the first hunter-killer UAV designed for long-endurance, high-altitude surveillance. The MQ-9 is a larger and more capable aircraft than the earlier MQ-1 Predator. It can use MQ-1's ground systems. The MQ-9 has a 950-shaft-horsepower turboprop engine, far more powerful than the Predator's 115 hp (86 kW) piston engine. The increase in power allows the Reaper to carry 15 times more ordnance and cruise at three times the speed of the MQ-1. In 2008 the New York Air National Guard 174th Fighter Wing began to transition from F-16 piloted planes to MQ-9 Reaper drones, which are capable of remote controlled or autonomous flight, becoming the first all-robot attack squadron. Then U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General T. Michael Moseley said, "We've moved from using UAVs primarily in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance roles before Operation Iraqi Freedom, to a true hunter-killer role with the Reaper." As of 2009 the U.S. Air Force’s fleet stands at 195 Predators and 28 Reapers. With the success of the MQ-1 in combat, General Atomics anticipated the Air Force's desire for an upgraded aircraft and, using its own funds, set about redesigning Predator. General Atomics began development of the Reaper with the "Predator B-001", a proof-of-concept aircraft, which first flew on 2 February 2001. The B-001 was powered by a Garrett AiResearch TPE-331-10T turboprop engine with 950 shp (712 kW). It had a standard Predator airframe, except that the wings were stretched from 48 feet (14.6 m) to 66 feet (20 m). The B-001 had a speed of 220 kts (390 km/h) and could carry a payload of 750 pounds (340 kilograms) to an altitude of 50,000 feet (15.2 kilometers) with an endurance of 30 hours. GA refined the design, taking it in two separate directions. The first was with a jet-powered version. The "Predator B-002" was fitted with a Williams FJ44-2A turbofan engine with 10.2 kN (2,300 lbf, 1,040 kgf) thrust. It had payload capacity of 475 pounds (215 kilograms), a ceiling of 60,000 feet (18.3 kilometers) and endurance of 12 hours. The U.S. Air Force has ordered two airframes for evaluation, delivered in 2007. The second was the "Predator B-003", referred to by GA as the "Altair", which has a new airframe with an 84-feet (25.6 m) wingspan and a takeoff weight of about 7,000 pounds (3,175 kilograms). Like the Predator B-001, it is powered by a TP-331-10T turboprop. This variant has a payload capacity of 3,000 pounds (1,360 kilograms), a maximum ceiling of 52,000 feet (15.8 kilometers), and an endurance of 36 hours.

Specifications:

Role

• Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV).

First Flight

• 2 February 2001

Primary Users

• United States Air Force.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
• Royal Air Force.
• Aeronautica Militare.

Number Built

• 28

Unit Cost

• USD 10.5 million for one aircraft with sensors.

Developed From

• MQ-1 Predator.

Variants

• General Atomics Avenger.

Crew(Remote)

• 1 Pilot plus, 1 sensor operator.
• Total: 2

Landing Type

• Runway.

Launch Type

• Runway.

Powerplant

• Honeywell TP331-10T turboprop engine.
• 950 SHP (712 kW).

Fuel Capacity

• 1815 kg (4,000 lb).

Length

• 10.9728 m (36 ft).

Height

• 3.8 m (12.5 ft).

Empty Weight

• 2223 kg (4,900 lb).

Max Takeoff Weight

• 4760 kg (10,500 lb).

Sensors

• AN/APY-8 Lynx II radar.
• AN/DAS-1 MTS-B Multi-Spectral Targeting System.

Weapons

• 1,500 lb (680 kg) on the two inboard weapons stations.
• 500–600 lb (230–270 kg) on the two middle stations.
• 150–200 lb (68–91 kg) on the outboard stations.