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Gray eagle biography

General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle

Unmanned scrutiny and strike aircraft system

The General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle (previously the Warrior; also called Sky Warrior and ERMP or Extended-Range Multi-Purpose)[2] is a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aircraft system (UAS).

It was developed by Popular Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) honor the United States Army variety an upgrade of the Communal Atomics MQ-1 Predator.[3]

Development

The U.S. Service initiated the Extended-Range Multi-Purpose UAV competition in , with nobility winning aircraft due to supplant the RQ-5 Hunter.

Two level were entered, the IAI/Northrop Grumman Hunter II, and the Warrior.[3] In August , the Drove announced the Warrior to tweak the winner and awarded deft $ million contract for arrangement development and demonstration. The Soldiers intended to procure eleven Fighter systems, each of these accessories having twelve UAVs and pentad ground control stations.

With address list expected total program cost hostilities $1 billion, the aircraft was to enter service in [4]

The Army announced on 3 Sept that the integration of loftiness AGM Hellfire missile on blue blood the gentry UAV had been so loaded that 4 weaponized MQ-1Cs would be deployed to Afghanistan steadily late [5]

Performance Issues

In March , Gray Eagles started showing wet reliability across all major subsystems.

During that month, one Overcast Eagle crashed in California just as a faulty chip blocked conference to part of the aircraft's flight control surfaces. Flight searching was delayed until the sliver was replaced but had sinistral it with fewer available route hours; the average time betwixt failures of the aircraft respectable components was 25 hours, onetime the minimum required is twelve o\'clock noon.

The ground control station's disgust between failures was 27 noontide, while the minimum time essential is hours.[6]

Sensors failed at compared to hours required. Fluky October , a report at an end the Gray Eagle was put the finishing touch to only four out of digit "key performance parameters," and well-fitting reliability fell short of presumptive growth.

11 unplanned software revisions had generally improved reliability.[6] Steadfastness problems were attributed mostly convey software issues from newly installed sensors, which did not reply once fixed. Initial focus was on expanding capability and evolution an availability rate of 80 percent, then addressing reliability.[7]

Designation

The Service sought to have the Combatant designated MQ, but the In partnership States Department of Defense allocated the designation MQ-1C instead.[8]

In Honoured , the US Army declared that the MQ-1C had on the record been assigned the name Gray Eagle.[9][10]

Improved Gray Eagle

On 27 July , General Atomics announced greatness successful first flight of picture Improved Gray Eagle (IGE).

Loftiness IGE is designed for additional endurance, with 23 additional noontide compared to its Block Crazed predecessor. It has 50 proportion greater fuel capacity through warmth deep belly fuselage and essence improved payload capacity of 50 percent or more. The upgraded centerline hardpoint supports integration bad deal a pound (&#;kg) optional beyond fuel tank or degree tester payload.

The IGE's additional distance, plus an improved LycomingDEL Giant Fuel Engine (HFE), provides duration capability for an improved airworthiness design, with the potential not later than incorporating lightning protection, damage charity, and Traffic Collision Avoidance Custom (TCAS) features.[11][12]

On 11 October , the Improved Gray Eagle took off from GA-ASI's El Optical illusion Flight Operations Facility and flew for continuous hours until 13 October.

The flight was rendering first of two endurance demonstrations of the IGE for influence U.S. Army.[13]

From 17–19 January , the IGE performed its erelong endurance flight demonstration for rectitude Army, flying continuous hours. Distinct the previous test where ham-fisted payload was carried, this experiment had the aircraft flying work stoppage a SIGINT pod on given wing and two Hellfire missiles on the other.

With tenacity claims carrying the payload construction validated, the IGE will hire upgrades to make it congruous with the Army's One Practice Ground Control Station (OSGCS) folk tale future Universal Ground Control Road (UGCS), with flights of significance upgrade to be conducted esteem summer [14]

In July , leadership Army's Gray Eagle procurement scheme was amended to include class extended-range Improved Gray Eagle, advantage an initial 36 units stand for the Army's intelligence and exceptional forces groups.[15] The first 19 IGEs were ordered in June for the first delivery hoax September and completion by Sep The only IGE demonstrator was lost in a flight upbringing incident in early [16] Goodness maiden flight of the arrange variant of the MQ-1C Colourise Eagle ER came on 29 October [17] The Gray Raptor Extended Range (GE-ER)[18] was at will to the Army for dear testing in [19]

Upgrades

In , ethics US Army was expanding goodness use of manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) technologies to manned aircraft censure receive video feeds and command weapons aboard unmanned aircraft, devising ground units less reliant put the accent on other services' aircraft.

The AHE Apache attack helicopter is rectitude first Army rotorcraft with purpose-made MUM-T technology, allowing pilots have knowledge of remotely control a Gray Raptor, extending the Apache's reach be oblivious to using the Gray Eagle's sensors and weapons from the eggbeater cockpit.[20]

Tests demonstrated that the Apache's engagement range increases with MUM-T as the Gray Eagle receptacle designate targets outside the helicopter's own targeting system range, continuing survivability, and potentially needing less helicopters as their effectiveness decay increased with the inclusion elder Gray Eagle.[20] An Apache gaze at control a Gray Eagle spell access its sensors and weapons from up to 70&#;mi (&#;km) away.[21]

In May , BAE Systems was awarded an initial control contract to provide 12 Shrewd Signals Intelligence Payload (TSP) sensors for the MQ-1C.

The TSP SIGINT system captures a consequence aerial field of view collect identify, detect, and geo-locate electronic emitters. It has an splash software-defined architecture and a nonpareil system can address multiple targets.[22]

In June , soldiers performed block off initial test and evaluation gather the One System Remote Recording Terminal (OSRVT), enabling ground gather to control a Gray Eagle's payload.

The OSRVT is splendid portable system consisting of span radio transceiver, laptop, antennas, viewpoint software to communicate with rendering UAV and receive video survive other data from it. Ensnare of the sensor payload equitable UAS level of Interoperability 3, a step below control compensation flight through MUM-T.[23]

Design

A Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UAV, the Gray Raptor has an increased wingspan compared to the original MQ-1 Savage and is powered by put in order ThielertCenturion Heavy Fuel Engine (HFE).[24] This is a Diesel 1 engine that burnsjet fuel, donation the aircraft better performance dry mop high altitudes.

It can run for 36 hours at altitudes up to 25, feet (7,&#;m),[4] with an operating range be beaten nautical miles (&#;km).[25]

The aircraft's caress fairing was enlarged to see to a synthetic aperture radar/ground migratory target indicator (SAR/GMTI) system, endure targeting is also provided warmth an AN/AAS Multi-spectral Targeting Arrangement (MTS) under the nose.

Integrity aircraft can carry a loading of pounds (&#;kg) and haw be armed with weapons much as AGM Hellfire missiles at an earlier time GBU/B Viper Strikeguided bombs.[25] Tight sensors can fuse infrared figurativeness and use the SAR go up against scan and detect changes loaded terrain like tire tracks, disappear, and buried improvised explosive fitments when performing a second scan.[21]

In May , Raytheon delivered bend over electronic attack payloads as vicinity of the Army's Networked Electronic Warfare, Remotely Operated (NERO) path, for jamming enemy communications name-calling behalf of the Joint Impromptu Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO).

Derived from the Communications Electronic Attack Surveillance and Reconnaissance (CEASAR) system on the C Huron,[26] mounting NERO on the remotecontrolled Gray Eagle gives reduced coincidental, reduced operating costs, and one to three times the staying power of electronic attack missions.[27] Discover flights showed that the Colourise Eagle could operate with rectitude jammer payload without being subject-matter to adverse effects.[28]

The Improved Dreary Eagle has a maximum super takeoff weight 4,&#;lb (1,&#;kg) investigate its &#;hp engine, compared expect the Gray Eagle's 3,&#;lb (1,&#;kg) MGTOW and &#;hp engine.

Influence Gray Eagle can carry &#;lb (&#;kg) of fuel, while goodness IGE can carry &#;lb (&#;kg) of fuel internally with academic deep belly design and &#;lb (&#;kg) centerline hardpoint. External tinder tanks can add &#;lb (&#;kg) of extra fuel, allowing vindicate a hour endurance. The Believe also increases internal payload potential from &#;lb (&#;kg) to &#;lb (&#;kg).[13]

The empty weight is 1,&#;kg (2,&#;lb), endurance without the further than tank is 45 hours, lecturer engine can sustain an mill of &#;hp (&#;kW) continuously.

Typical Atomics has added new winglets that can increase endurance skilful further one percent and countenance the addition of a newborn vertical antennae. A special race configuration can carry two Abaddon missiles and a SIGINT freightage for 35 hours, as grudging to 14–15 hours for justness Block 1 Grey Eagle.[29]

Operational history

The Army's 1st Infantry Division's fight aviation brigade deployed to Irak with developmental Gray Eagles detainee June [30]

On 2 June , the Gray Eagle reached spick record 10, successful automatic furnish and recoveries with the Robot Takeoff and Landing System (ATLS).

The system also landed confront a 26 knot crosswind. Exceed 25 July , the Army's Gray Eagle Block 1 degree has accumulated more than 35, flight hours since it was first deployed in On 25 June , General Atomics proclaimed that the Gray Eagle challenging been deployed in its gain victory full company of 12 aircraft.[31] Initial Operational Test and Proof (IOT&E) was completed in Grand [32] There were 50 even in service with a more advantageous than 80 percent system precious availability rate.[33]

The Army is providing 15 companies with Gray Raptor drones to go to from time to time active-duty division.

Each company longing have nine aircraft serviced spawn soldiers, which would increase interruption 12 with an additional company when deployed. Two to two companies are being fielded p.a. until [21]

Full-rate production was in order for April , with follow-on operational testing in using organized new ground station in typical with the RQ-7 Shadow.[32] Getaway to July , the Behind Eagle has accumulated over 70, flight hours.[11]

On 25 September , the Gray Eagle achieved 20, successful automatic launch and recoveries with the ATLS system, 15 months after reaching 10, glory.

As of October , ATLS is used at 8 sites including 3 overseas sites, proper 4 more sites planned encourage January The Gray Eagle Plump I has flown 80, noonday since and currently averages 3, flight hours per month. Additive flight hours increased 64 pct within the last year.[34]

In Nov , the th Special Heart Aviation Regiment (Airborne) (th SOAR(A)), a U.S.

Army special action unit, received its first MQ-1C Gray Eagle. The regiment coruscate the Grey Eagle lessens their dependence on Air Force drones for providing reconnaissance and storm out capabilities to special operations teams. The MQ-1C has greater accomplishments than RQ-7 Shadow UAVs operated by the regiment by easy their range of coverage out of range a specific area of operations.[35] Two SOAR companies are like have 12 aircraft each.[21]

In July , an unarmed Gray Raptor crashed in Iraq after straighten up communications failure that was enduring Operation Inherent Resolve against justness Islamic State.[36]

In March , Furtive Army has begun the contingency to permanently station the MQ-1C Gray Eagle at Kunsan Climate Base in South Korea.[37] Stop off February it was announced put off following the completion of building of hangars and supporting moving at the base, 12 MQ-1Cs will be deployed to Kunsan in March/April [38]

On 29 Feb an armed MQ-1C Gray Raptor conducting an armed patrol crashed in Agadez, Niger due look after a mechanical failure.

The MQ-1C drone was operating under glory banner of the U.S. Continent Command (AFRICOM). On March 3, , an unused Hellfire shell was lying beside the crashed MQ-1C Gray Eagle drone, to such a degree accord posing a threat according appreciation to U.S, French and African forces if it were assent to be recovered by the Islamic terror group operating in decency country.[39][needs update]

On 23 January on the subject of MQ-1C crashed in Agadez, Niger.[40]

Reuters reported on 1 June defer the Biden administration plans acquaintance sell four Gray Eagle drones to Ukraine, each capable be more or less carrying up to 8 Abode of the damned missiles, "for battlefield use bite the bullet Russia" in the current inconsistency.

The plan has been fall Pentagon review for weeks, on the contrary could yet not occur theorize the Congress blocks it.[41]

Specifications

Data from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Gray Eagle.[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: Unmanned
  • Capacity: kg ( lb)
  • Length: 28&#;ft 0&#;in (&#;m)
  • Wingspan: 56&#;ft 0&#;in (17&#;m)
  • Height: 6&#;ft 11&#;in (&#;m)
  • Max takeoff weight: 3,&#;lb (1,&#;kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × ThielertCenturion Heavy-Fuel Engine , &#;hp (&#;kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: &#;kn (&#;mph, &#;km/h)
  • Endurance: 25 hours
  • Service ceiling: 29,&#;ft (8,&#;m)

Armament

Avionics

See also

Related development

Aircraft of parallel role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

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    International Insider. 12 March Archived from the basic on 25 June Retrieved 13 March

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    13 March Archived bring forth the original on 13 Hoof it

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External links