MilestonesProducts and ServicesCapabilitiesNews and InformationCareersResources
March 18, 2010 04:11 AM PDT

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Industry Milestones

Since Predator’s historic first flight in 1994, the Predator UAS series has continued to maintain its legacy of groundbreaking industry firsts for unmanned aircraft systems.

Predator UAS Series

  • Log over 435,000 flight hours with over 80 percent in combat

Predator

  • Perform routine operations with control via a satellite data link

  • Fly over 40 hours

  • Controlled from a submerged submarine

  • Laser designate for another attack aircraft

  • Fire precision-guided missiles (Hellfire, Stinger) in combat

  • Launch and control another UAS

  • Transmit imagery to AC-130 gunships

  • Controlled from an airborne C-130

I-GNAT ER/Sky Warrior Alpha

  • Controlled by the U.S. Army’s One System GCS

  • Integrate Lynx SAR/GMTI radar and operationally deploy

  • Reach the highest full-mission capability rate of any operational Army UAS

  • Achieve a record 10,000 combat flight hours in only two years on three aircraft

 

Predator B/Variants

  • Employ GBU-12, GBU-38 precision-guided bombs and Hellfire missiles

  • Operate with a 360° multi-mode maritime radar over a digital satellite data link

  • Fly from Southern California to Alaska

  • Operate above the Arctic Circle and in Canadian NAS with over-the-horizon control

  • Monitor forest fires along the Alaska pipeline

  • Map California wild fires in response to emergency tasking

  • Successfully carry a modified F-16 tactical reconnaissance sensor pod

  • Receive the FAA’s first commercial UAS air worthiness certificate, experimental category

  • Carry an integrated scientific sensor package up to 45,000 feet altitude for 20 hours

  • Patrol the U.S./Mexican border

  • Integrate a MIL STD 1760 Stores Management System

  • Integrate Lynx SAR/GMTI radar and operationally deploy