In this image released by the Department of Defense, An MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle from the 42nd Attack Squadron taxis into Creech Air Force Base, Nev., March 13, 2007. The Reaper's first combat deployment is expected in Afghanistan, and senior Air Force officers estimate it will land in Iraq sometime between this fall and next spring. (AP Photo/U.S. Air Force, Senior Airman Larry E. Reid Jr.)
Predator-B Hunter-Killer UAV
General Atomics / USA
http://www.defense-update.com/
Predator B currently in final development and testing, will overcome most of the difficulties encountered with the Predator. With an operational ceiling of 50,000ft, and higher cruising speed, this UAV will be able to cover a larger area, under all weather conditions. The aircraft is powered by a single Honeywell TP331-10 engine, producing 950 shp, provides a maximum airspeed of 260 kts and a cruise speed for maximum endurance of 150-170 kts.
The Air Force so far has seven of the combat drones in the US Air Force inventory. In 2009, the service is scheduled to decide whether it wants a full production run. On September 27, 2006 The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Kingdom of two MQ-9 weaponized Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The configuration will be similar to that of the USAF operated MQ-9 Reaper, including a Ground Control Station, two Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems, one Mobile Ground Control Station, two Lynx Synthetic Aperture Radar (airborne), Ku-Band Communications link etc. No weapons have been included in this request, yet the Reaper is cleared to carry commonly used weapons including Hellfire missiles and laser guided bombs.
Capable of carrying maximum internal payload of 800 lbs, it will carry more advanced sensors at weight almost twice as the MQ-1. Furthermore, The Reaper can carry much more external stores, up to 3,000 pounds total – 1,500 on each of its two inboard weapons stations, or 500-600 lb. on the two middle stations and 150-200 lbs. on the outboard stations. In total, the aircraft can carry up to 14 Hellfire missiles, compared with two carried on the Predator. The Reaper can stay airborne for up to 14 hours fully loaded.
Trading off some of the missiles, Predator B can carry laser guided bombs, such as the GBU-12. MQ-9 is equipped with both Lynx II SAR and the MTS-B 20" gimbal, an improved, extended range version of the MQ-9's EO payload. The availability of high performance sensors and large capacity of precision guided weapons enable the new Predator to operate as an efficient "Hunter-Killer" platform, seeking and engaging targets at high probability of success.