CONTRACT AWARDED FOR TWO PREDATORS.Byline: Daily News General Atomics General Atomics is a nuclear physics and defense contractor headquartered in San Diego, California. Among other things, it is the manufacturer of the Predator unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Aeronautical aer·o·nau·tic also aer·o·nau·ti·cal adj. Of or relating to aeronautics. aer  o·nau Systems announced it has received a
contract valued at $15.7 million from the U.S. Air Force for two
Predator B unmanned aircraft Unmanned Aircraft (UA) is a term used in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) definition of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). UA refers to the aircraft portion of the system required to operate it, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. .
Designated MQ-9 Hunter-Killer, Predator B will be able to fly at altitudes of more than 50,000 feet for more than 30 hours, while carrying weapons or equipment weighing over 800 pounds. The aircraft will also be capable of carrying 3,000 pounds of various payloads slung underneath it. Delivery of the first aircraft is scheduled for November 2003. As the successor of the piston-powered Predator, Predator B was developed and flight tested in the Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley in early 2001 to support both emerging military and scientific research applications. Powered by a turbo prop engine, Predator B flies at speeds over 230 mph. Altair, a nonmilitary version of the Predator B, is planned for first flight in 2003 and will be used to support NASA's atmospheric research efforts. The Predator went into service with the U.S. Air Force in 1995. Controlled by operators on the ground, the Predators are used as reconnaissance planes and in Afghanistan have fired Hellfire hell·fire n. The fire of hell, considered as punishment for sinners. hellfire Noun the torment of hell, imagined as eternal fire Noun 1. anti-tank missiles at vehicles. The new version is expected to fly higher and longer and carry more gear. |
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