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General Atomics Avenger (Predator C)

2016 MODERN AIRCRAFT DRONE TECHNOLOGY

History of the Universal Atom Avenger (Predator C)

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General Atomics Avenger (previously known as the "Predator C") is one of the new unmanned aerial systems introduced by the US military, showcasing some of the latest in drone technology. The system was developed from the MQ-9 Reaper series (previously known as "Predator B"), which itself was developed from the experience gained with the MQ-1 Predator ("Predator A"), known as a true "combat" "UAV, and define what it does beyond previous drone models.

As a more powerful and lethal version of all previous Predator drones, if its technology lives up to its claims, the Avenger should be able to serve in the U.S. military for a long and healthy period. The first flight was completed on April 4, 2009, and the prime contractor was General Atomics Aeronautical Systems of San Diego, California.

The original Predator A (MQ-1) was originally a reconnaissance platform that was later modified to carry Hellfire anti-tank missiles. The Predator B (MQ-9 "Reaper") is a second-generation Predator designed from the start to carry weapons but with improved performance. The third-generation Predator (Predator C, "Avengers") is more in line with current and upcoming fifth-generation fighter jets deployed by the US Air Force. Altogether, this would put the USAF ahead of any existing Air Force.

A positive selling point for the new Avenger drone is that it uses existing ground-based Predator A and Predator B infrastructure, meaning the U.S. military only needs to procure the Avenger itself and any new software that can be used to operate it, Just like a predator - provided.

The biggest difference between the Avenger and previous Predator UAV products is that it uses a jet engine and its "stealth" nature. Both the original and subsequent Predator models used a "slider" propeller engine system connected to an internal combustion engine for reasonable performance and latency. The Avenger now significantly advances the Predator line with a single Pratt & Whitney PW545B series engine with 4,800 pounds of thrust. Her appearance is also more powerful and intimidating, a far cry from the fragile figure occupied by the earlier MQ-1 and MQ-9 series.

Performance specs include a top speed of over 460 mph, and its operating ceiling rivals that of a military fighter jet at 60,000 feet. Endurance time is listed as 20 hours, but can be extended with an optional internal fuel tank that takes up space in the bomb bay if needed.

Internal fuel tanks add two hours of flight time.

Visually, the Avenger has a sleek and ultra-modern design, which may be more similar to how Lockheed designed new stealth aircraft like the F-22 and F-35. She features curves perfectly combined with sharp angles to best dump the incoming radar signal used to track her. The front of the fuselage is featureless and looks like a muzzle without a cockpit. The wings were slightly swept back and mounted amidships and were about 66 feet in diameter.

There are no horizontal planes, as the Avenger's design features a "Y" vertical tail arrangement that covers the form and function of both vertical and horizontal planes on traditional aircraft. There is an identifiable air intake above the fuselage, behind the central section of the wing, for the intake of the jet engines contained within. The engine is exhausted at the rear via a tiny "S"-shaped exhaust port to reduce the heat signature.

The vents are separated from the floor by a short running screen that extends to the actual exhaust.

The Avenger is equipped with the General Atomics-developed Lynx Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) system and AESA wide-area surveillance sensors. The former is based on a system that will be integrated into the Lockheed F-35 Lightning II as part of its Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS).

It is launched and recovered from conventional runways using three-wheel landing gear, including two main gear legs and one nose gear leg.

The Avengers use internal bomb bays to minimize their radar signature. She is authorized to carry AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missile systems (shared with Hughes AH-64 Apache attack helicopters), GBU-24 Paveway III laser-guided bombs, GBU-31 JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munitions), converting conventional drop bombs For guided threats, as well as the small-diameter GBU-38 bombs, which are designed to increase the ammunition-carrying capacity of a given aircraft.

Payload is limited to 3,000 pounds of internal ammunition. If necessary, the weapons in the interior compartment can be replaced with sensors, electronics and radar equipment.

With the performance specs and capabilities listed, the Avenger will likely prove to be a formidable weapon system in the near future - until the enemy develops a drone fighter to negate combat drones like the Avenger any advantage. Until then, more human-controlled robots will grace the skies of the modern battlefield.

Images of the Avengers so far show them with a two-tone grey camouflage finish. Notable during the test was the Avenger's use of a tail hook, which could mean an assessment of whether the Avenger could launch/recover a ship on board, or just show that the drone relies on a tail hook to shorten its runway landing time.

The Avenger is capable of handling combat and reconnaissance missions, limited only by the mission role and payload carried.