Gray Eagle™ UAS

An essential element of the U.S. Army’s Aviation Modernization Plan, GA-ASI’s Gray Eagle® Extended Range/Multi-Purpose (ER/MP) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) is an innovative and technologically advanced derivative of the combat-proven Predator®. Gray Eagle® offers a reliable, affordable, low-risk, and compelling next-generation tactical UAS solution to meet challenging service requirements for persistent Reconniassance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition (RSTA) and attack operations.

Gray Eagle® has an endurance of 25 hours, speeds up to167 KTAS, can operate up to 29,000 feet, and carries 1,075 lb (488 kg) of internal and external payload. The aircraft can carry multiple payloads aloft, including Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR) with laser designation, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), communications relay, and four Hellfire missiles.

Compared to the Predator predecessor, Gray Eagle’s Heavy Fuel Engine (HFE) supports the Army’s “single fuel in the battlefield” concept, and provides increased horsepower and significantly improved fuel efficiency, utilizing either jet or diesel fuel.

An extremely reliable UAS, Gray Eagle® features a fault-tolerant control system and a triple-redundant avionics system architecture, similar to the systems integrated in the battle-proven Predator B. Designed with airworthiness as a primary consideration, Gray Eagle is engineered to meet and exceed manned aircraft reliability standards.

This long-range, long-dwell UAS is dedicated to direct operational control by Army field commanders. Its expansive mission set includes, but is not limited, to wide-area Intelligence Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR), convoy protection, Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detection and defeat, close air support, communications relay, and weapons delivery missions.

Performance

Max Altitude 29,000 ft
Max Endurance 25 hr
Max Airspeed 167 KTAS

Features/Benefits:

  • Technologically advanced derivative of the combat-proven Predator UAS
  • Dedicated to direct operational control by U.S. Army field commanders
  • Unprecedented reliability
    • Triple-redundant avionics and flight controls
    • Redundant flight control surfaces
  • Common Data Link (CDL) line-of-sight communications/air data relay communications
  • Satellite communications
  • Open, modular architecture supports integration of three payloads simultaneously, with capacity for growth
  • Automatic takeoff and landing reduces pilot workload
  • De-icing system
  • HFE offsets the logistical need for special fuels on the battlefield
  • Controlled by the U.S. Army One System Ground Control Station (OSGCS)
  • C-130 transportable