General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI), announced that it will have a significant presence at the upcoming ILA show in Berlin, Germany, June 1-4, including a full-scale, company-owned Predator B RPA.
“The ILA Berlin Air Show marks the first time GA-ASI has publicly displayed our Predator B aircraft, and we’re honoured to be featured at this world-class venue,” said Linden Blue, CEO, GA-ASI. Predator B has become the MALE [Medium-altitude Long-endurance] RPA standard for NATO, is operated by U.S., UK, French and Italian Air Forces, and is being acquired by the Spanish Air Force. This system commonality promotes interoperability between Member States and logistical economies of scale.”
GA-ASI and Spezialtechnik Dresden (STD) GmbH also are positioning Predator B – Guardian Eagle, a Type-Certifiable configuration of Predator B, for the German government. Guardian Eagle will integrate enhanced safety and reliability systems that will enable RPA flight within civilian airspace. Beginning in 2012, GA-ASI has undertaken a company-funded effort to produce Guardian Eagle, which will be fully compliant with NATO’s UAV SYSTEM AIRWORTHINESS REQUIREMENTS (defined in STANAG 4671). The company has collaborated with RUAG and the LufABw (military aviation authority) in Germany to define airworthiness requirements.
Other German collaborations for Predator B – Guardian Eagle include Rohde & Schwarz, through integration of the certified R&S MR6000A air traffic control radios which support both air-to-air and air-to-ground communications. This radio system is now part of the baseline product configuration.
The Predator aircraft family has amassed over 3.8 million flight hours. Predator B can fly up to 240 knots, carry extensive payloads (386 kg internally, 1361 kg externally), and reach 15240 meters in altitude. Aircraft endurance can exceed 27 hours, depending on configuration. This unrefueled airborne endurance and highly capable onboard sensors provide persistent, high-resolution ISR. The aircraft system can host a variety of sensor payloads and is capable of transmitting video to manned aircraft and ground forces.
GA-ASI will be exhibiting at two different locations at ILA Berlin: U.S. International Pavilion – Hall 2, Stand 231 (Indoor Exhibit/Stand) and in the U.S. DoD Corral (Static Display of Predator B).
Photo: Predator-B Block-5 Gray-Butte First-Flight – GA-ASI
Source: Press Release