General Atomics Avenger
| Avenger (Predator C) | |
|---|---|
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| Predator-C Avenger | |
| Role | Unmanned combat air vehicle |
| Manufacturer | General Atomics Aeronautical Systems |
| First flight | 4 April 2009 |
| Unit cost | $12 million to $15 million[1] |
| Developed from | MQ-9 Reaper |
The General Atomics Avenger (formerly Predator C) is a developmental unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for the United States military. Its first flight occurred on 4 April 2009.[2][3] Unlike the previous MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper (Predator B) drones, the Avenger is powered by a turbofan engine, and its design includes stealth features such as internal weapons storage, and an "S" shaped exhaust for reduced heat and radar signature.[4] The Avenger will support the same weapons as the MQ-9, and carry the Lynx Synthetic aperture radar SAR and a version of the F-35 Lightning II's electro-optical targeting system (EOTS), called the Advanced Low-observable Embedded Reconnaissance Targeting (ALERT) system.[5][6] The Avenger will use the same ground support infrastructure as the MQ-1 and MQ-9, including the ground control station and existing communications networks.[2]
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[edit] Sea Avenger
On 3 May 2010, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) introduced Sea Avenger, a carrier-based derivative of the Predator C Avenger UAS, intended to fulfill the U.S. Navy’s need for an unmanned carrier-launched airborne surveillance and strike (UCLASS) system. The company formally proposed Sea Avenger to the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) via a Request for Information (RFI) submitted on 30 April 2010.
The Sea Avenger includes a retractable electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor, internal weapons bay, and folding wings. The aircraft’s structure was designed with the flexibility to accommodate carrier suitable landing gear, tailhook, drag devices, and other provisions for carrier operations.[7]
[edit] Specifications
Data from [8]
General characteristics
- Crew: None (UAV)
- Length: 41 ft (12 m)
- Wingspan: 66 ft (20 m) sweep angle 17°
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545B turbojet, 4,119 lbf (18.32 kN) thrust
Performance
- Maximum speed: 460 mph; 740 km/h (400 kn)
- Endurance: 20 hours with standard fuel
- Service ceiling: 60,000 ft (18,288 m) operating altitude
Armament
- Internal weapons bay, 3,000 pounds (1,400 kg) capacity. Capable of carrying AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, GBU-24 Paveway III bombs, and GBU-31 and GBU-38 JDAMs.
Avionics
- Lynx Synthetic Aperture Radar
- AESA Wide-area surveillance sensor
[edit] See also
- Related development
- Related lists
[edit] References
- ^ More drones, smaller Navy
- ^ a b Fulghum, David A.; Sweetman, Bill (April 17, 2009). "Predator C Avenger Makes First Flights". Aviation Week. http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/AVENGER041709.xml&headline=Predator%20C%20Avenger%20Makes%20First%20Flights. Retrieved April 18, 2009.
- ^ "Avenger UAV Revealed", Air Force Magazine, June 2009, Volume 92, Number 6, page 14.
- ^ New Predator C Hints At Stealth, Weaponry
- ^ Stealthy F-35 Sensor To Fly On Avenger UAV
- ^ "GA-ASI Successfully Executes First Flight of Predator C Avenger". April 20, 2009. http://www.ga-asi.com/news_events/index.php?read=1&id=186. Retrieved April 22, 2009.
- ^ "GA-ASI Introduces Sea Avenger UAS for UCLASS Carrier Operations" General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. Accessed May 4, 2010
- ^ http://defense-update.com/products/p/predator_c_avenger_180409.html
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: General_Atomics_Avenger |
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