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General Atomics RQ-1 Predator

UAV · Cold War (1970–1991)

General Atomics RQ-1 Predator — UAV
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The General Atomics MQ-1 Predator is an American remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) built by General Atomics that was used primarily by the United States Air Force (USAF) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Conceived in the early 1990s for aerial reconnaissance and forward observation roles, the Predator carries cameras and other sensors. It was modified and upgraded to carry and fire two AGM-114 Hellfire missiles or other munitions. The aircraft entered service in 1995, and saw combat in the war in Afghanistan, Pakistan, the NATO intervention in Bosnia, the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, the Iraq War, Yemen, the 2011 Libyan civil war, the 2014 intervention in Syria, and Somalia.

Specifications

Category
Fixed Wing
Sub-Category
UAV
Domain
Defence
Era
Cold War (1970–1991)
Engine
1× 4-cylinder air-cooled turbocharged horizontally-opposed piston engine
Thrust / Power
115 hp
Length (ft)
27
Wingspan (ft)
49
Empty Weight (lb)
1130
MTOW (lb)
2249
Endurance (hr)
24 hours
Service Ceiling (ft)
25000
Range (mi)
777
Max Speed (mph)
135