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General Atomics MQ-9B Protector / SkyGuardian (Predator B)

2021 MODERN AIRCRAFT DRONE TECHNOLOGY FUTURE FLIGHT

History of General Atomics MQ-9B Protector / SkyGuardian (Predator B)

To meet newer, stricter regulations on global civil airworthiness standards from NATO and the FAA, General Atomics is developing an aircraft for its highly successful MQ-9 Predator B unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Branch as MQ-9B "protector".

The genre offers software and hardware level upgrades to perform better in a variety of global environments while being protected from natural disasters such as bird strikes, icing, and lightning. The Royal Air Force (RAF) is working on the model, and the service expects to receive its first units by the end of 2018, with type certification expected between 2021 and 2022 (civil airspace certification will arrive later).

The certification would allow the aircraft to legally fly over population centers, with the intended purpose of monitoring and coordinating disaster response, among other things.

The

Protector retains the proven Predator form and function, with a sleek body housing the major avionics suite, optics and powerplant. The wings are straight monoplanes with winglets at the ends. An optical pack is housed in a trainable blister pack under the chin. A Y-tail assembly was used with a pair of outwardly swept fins and a single downwardly swept flat. The chassis has three thin legs, all on wheels.

At the tail of the aircraft is a three-bladed propeller unit arranged in a "propeller" fashion.

The Protector is said to have a top speed of 210 knots, a mission life window of approximately 40 hours, and a total life of 40,000 hours. The operating limit will be up to 40,000 feet. Supported systems include Raytheon MTS-B electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor adaptation, GA-ASI "Lynx" multimode mission radar and true sense and avoid/all-weather capabilities.

Mission payloads will be modular to allow customers to attach products as needed.

The MQ-9B platform is also the basis for the armed drone "SkyGuardian" (UCAV), which will support precision-guided munitions. Likewise, SeaGuardian is being developed as a multi-mission naval patrol vessel equipped with a surface search radar to meet the requirements of military and civilian sector water operations.