MQ-1C Warrior

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MQ-1C (Sky) Warrior
A photo of the US Army's MQ-1C Warrior UAV demo
Role Remote controlled UAV
Manufacturer General Atomics
First flight spring 2008
Primary user United States Army
Developed from MQ-1 Predator

The General Atomics MQ-1C Warrior (also called Sky Warrior by General Atomics) is an Extended-Range Multi-Purpose (ERMP) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) under development by General Atomics (GA), funded by United States Army. It is an upgrade of the MQ-1 Predator.

Contents

[edit] Development

The U.S. Army initiated the Extended-Range Multi-Purpose UAV competition in 2002, with the winning aircraft due to replace the RQ-5 Hunter. Two aircraft were entered, an upgraded version of the RQ-5 Hunter, and the Warrior. In August 2005, the Army announced the Warrior to be the winner and awarded a $214 million contract for system development and demonstration. The Army intends to procure 11 Warrior systems, each of these units has 12 UAVs and 5 ground control stations. With an expected total program cost of $1 billion, the aircraft is expected to become operational in 2009.[1]

The Army sought to have the Warrior designated MQ-12, but the United States Department of Defense allocated the designation MQ-1C instead.[2] The drones are planned to be operated by Task Force ODIN in Iraq and/or Afghanistan.

[edit] Design

Underparts

A Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UAV, the Warrior has an increased wingspan and is powered by a Thielert Centurion 1.7 Heavy Fuel Engine (HFE).[3] This is a diesel piston engine that burns jet fuel, giving the aircraft better performance at high altitudes. It will be capable of operating for 36 hours at altitudes up to 25,000 feet (7,600 m),[1] with an operating range of 200 nautical miles (400 km).[4]

The aircraft's nose fairing has been enlarged to house a Synthetic Aperture Radar/Ground Moving Target Indicator (SAR-GMTI) system, and targeting is also provided with a AN/AAS-52 Multi-spectral Targeting System (MTS) under the nose. The aircraft can carry a payload of 800 pounds (360 kg) and can be armed with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and GBU-44/B Viper Strike guided bombs.[4]

[edit] Controversy

On 28 October 2009, United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Philip Alston, presented a report to the Third Committee (social, humanitarian and cultural) of the General Assembly warning that the use of the MQ-1C Warrior and similar aircraft for targeted killings will be regarded as a breach of international law unless the United States can demonstrate appropriate precautions and accountability mechanisms are in place.[5]

[edit] Specifications

Data from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Sky Warrior. [6]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

[edit] See also

Search Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons has media related to: MQ-1C Warrior

Related development

Related lists

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b "Army awards ‘Warrior’ long-range UAV contract". Army News Service. 2005-08-05. http://www4.army.mil/news/article.php?story=7722. 
  2. ^ Designation Systems article
  3. ^ "Thielert Centurion 1.7 (Germany), Power plants". Jane's Information Group. http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Unmanned-Aerial-Vehicles-and-Targets/Thielert-Centurion-1-7-Germany.html. Retrieved 2009-08-28. 
  4. ^ a b "ERMP Extended-Range Multi-Purpose UAV". Defense Update. 2006-11-01. http://www.defense-update.com/products/e/ermpUAV.htm. 
  5. ^ UN News Centre, "UN rights expert voices concern over use of unmanned drones by United States", 28 October 2009
  6. ^ General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Sky Warrior

[edit] External links

v • d • e
United States tri-service Q-series UAV designations post-1962

M/RQ-1 · MQ-1C · RQ-2 · RQ-3 · RQ-4 · RQ-5 · RQ-6 · RQ-7 · MQ-8 · MQ-9 · CQ-10 · RQ-11 · (Q-12 and Q-13 not assigned) · RQ-14 · RQ-15 · RQ-16 · MQ-17 · MQ-18 · RQ-170
See also: List of unmanned aerial vehicles
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