Posted on 03/18/2006 11:19:47 AM PST by BenLurkin
ADELANTO - General Atomics Aeronautical Systems will begin work on its latest unmanned aircraft system under the first $6 million installment of a development contract for the Army.
The Warrior is based on the company's Predator unmanned vehicle, a system already proven successful in combat over Afghanistan and Iraq.
The entire program, including eventual follow-on production, is worth just under $1 billion, said Kimberly Kasitz , General Atomics spokeswoman. "It's a major contract for us," she said.
The new system is expected to replace the Army's existing unmanned reconnaissance system, the Northrop Grumman Co.-built Hunter, which entered service in 1996.
It will provide long-endurance surveillance - it may remain airborne 30 hours or more - and communications relay service.
Although primarily designed for reconnaissance and surveillance missions, the Warrior will also carry weapons, a feature not currently available on the Hunter.
This feature will allow ground controllers to either fire on a target using the Warrior, or to pass on the information collected to another entity.
The Warrior will be capable of carrying four Hellfire missiles, compared to the two carried by armed Predator aircraft.
The diesel-powered air vehicle will eliminate the need for special fuel on the battlefield, a concern with existing systems, Army officials said. Much like the Predator, the new system will be controlled by pilots from a ground control station.
The contract calls for 17 air vehicles and seven ground control stations. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in summer 2007.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems conducts development and flight test operations at its facilities in Adelanto and Grey Butte, east of Palmdale. The two high desert sites employ approximately 470 people.
Production and support activities continue on the company's two Predator models, including the jet-powered Predator B.
(Excerpt) Read more at avpress.com ...
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