Predator XP cleared for sale to India

[Major Shaitan Singh]

In a development that will reinforce India-US relations and herald a strategic partnership, Washington is understood to have given clearance for export of ‘Predator XP’ version unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to India.

Manufactured by San Diego-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, ‘Predator XP’ UAV could be possibly used for multiple purposes, including patrolling of the Pakistan and China borders touching India and reconnaissance of red terror areas. The home ministry is also keen on acquiring this sophisticated technology.

Highly placed sources told FE that the licence to export to India was cleared by the US administration in October 2014 itself, much before the visit of US President Barack Obama. The permission to allow exports to India of advanced US military UAVs which fall under the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) Category I export control restrictions has been termed as significant and a big step towards forging a strategic partnership between the two nations.

Though the sources refrained from sharing pricing details of the UAV, it is estimated that a 10-vehicle Predator system, with ground stations and software, would cost around $400 million. A single Predator vehicle would cost between $4 million and $15 million depending on surveillance equipment and weapons.

In fact, General Atomics is seen as the pioneer of this sophisticated but deadly drone technology and could be indicative of a larger role the company wants to play in India and the Asia Pacific region. The company, which made its India debut in the defence expo held last year for the first time, is expected to participate at Aero-India 2015 to be held in Bangalore from February 18.

The Obama administration has been making efforts to relax strictures on selling less-sensitive military hardware to foreign countries, and in an effort to avoid losing a share in the rapidly expanding foreign unmanned aerial vehicle market. However, there is a growing trend where US companies are being proactive and trying to develop export versions of UAVs that are saleable. General Atomics did just that with its Predator XP, an unarmed version of the medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV flown by the US military.

There are already 4,000 different unmanned aircraft platforms in circulation in the global market, most built by US manufacturers, according to an IHS Industry Research and Analysis report.

Because of the extended range and carrying capacity of high-end UAVs like Global Hawks and Predators, they fall under a stringent set of controls that govern the international sale of cruise missiles. The MTCR requires exporters of systems that can fly farther than 300 km and carry more than 500 kg be licensed by both the state and commerce departments.

The Predator model on offer to countries including India is a stripped down version of MQ-1 armed drones the US military uses in Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as in Iraq. But they are without the capability to carry missiles.

US nod to export of Predator XP UAV to India | The Financial Express

 

[Major Shaitan Singh]

Aircraft Specifications | MQ-1B Predator

Primary Function: Armed reconnaissance, airborne surveillance and target acquisition
Contractor: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
Power Plant: 1x Rotax 914F four cylinder engine with 115 hp
Wingspan: 55 ft (16.8 m)
Length: 27 ft (8.22 m)
Height: 6.9 ft (2.1 m)
Weight (Empty): 1,130 lbs (512 kg)
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW): 2,250 lbs (1,020 kg)
Payload: Internal: 450 lbs (204 kg); External: 300 lbs (136 kg)
Fuel Capacity: 625 lbs (284 kg)
Speed: Cruise: 70 kts/81 mph (130 km/h); Max: 117 kts/135 mph (217 km/h)
Service Ceiling: Up to 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
Range: 675 nm/777 miles (1,427 km)
Endurance: Max. 40 hours
Armament/Weapons: 2x AGM-114 Hellfire missiles
Crew (remote): Two (pilot and sensor operator)
Price/Unit Cost: $20 million (FY 2009 dollars) - (includes four UAVs, a ground control station and a Predator Primary Satellite Link)
First Flight: July 1994
Deployed: Initial Operational Capability in March 2005
Inventory (U.S. Air Force):
Total: 165 /// Active: 129, ANG: 36; Reserve: 0 (as of September 2012)
Total: 156 /// Active: 120, ANG: 36; Reserve: 0 (as of September 2013)

Aircraft Specifications | MQ-1C Gray Eagle

Primary Function: Long-endurance, persistent ISR and tactical strike capability
Contractor: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
Power Plant: 1x Thielert 2.0L four cylinder heavy-fuel piston engine with 165 hp
Wingspan: 56 ft (17.1 m)
Length: 28 ft (8.53 m)
Height: 6.9 ft (2.1 m)
Weight (Empty): Unknown
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW): 3,600 lbs (1,630 kg)
Payload: Internal: 575 lbs (261 kg); External: 500 lbs (227 kg)
Fuel Capacity: 600 lbs (100 gallons)
Speed: Cruise: 70 kts/81 mph (130 km/h); Max: 135 kts/155 mph (250 km/h)
Service Ceiling: Up to 29,000 ft (8,840 m)
Range: Unknown
Endurance: Max. 30 hours
Armament/Weapons: 4x AGM-114 Hellfire missiles
Crew (remote): Two (pilot and sensor operator)
Price/Unit Cost: $5.40 million (FY 2014) - Air vehicle only
First Flight: October 2004
Deployed: Unknown

Aircraft Specifications | MQ-9 Reaper

Primary Function: Unmanned hunter/killer weapon system
Contractor: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
Power Plant: 1x Honeywell TPE331-10GD turboprop engine with 900 shp
Wingspan: 66 ft (20.1 m)
Length: 36 ft (11 m)
Height: 12.5 ft (3.8 m)
Weight (Empty): 4,900 lbs (2,223 kg)
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW): 10,500 lbs (4,760 kg)
Payload: Total: 3,850 lbs (1,746 kg) of which 850 lbs (386 kg) is internal
Fuel Capacity: 4,000 lbs (1,814 kg)
Speed: Cruise: 200 kts/230 mph (371 km/h); Max: 240 kts/276 mph (444 km/h)
Service Ceiling: Up to 50,000 ft (15,240 m)
Range: 1,000 nm/1,151 miles (1,853 km)
Endurance: 30 hours (14 hours fully loaded)
Armament/Weapons: 4x AGM-114 Hellfire missiles + 2x GBU-12 Paveway II Laser-Guided Bombs or
2x GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM)
Crew (remote): Two (pilot and sensor operator)
Price/Unit Cost: $14.42 million (FY 2014) - Air vehicle only
First Flight: February 2, 2001
Deployed: Initial Operational Capability in October 2007
Inventory (U.S. Air Force):
Total: 104 /// Active: 97, ANG: 7; Reserve: 0 (as of September 2012)
Total: 104 /// Active: 97, ANG: 7; Reserve: 0 (as of September 2013)


The MQ-1B Predator, MQ-1C Gray Eagle, and MQ-9 Reaper aka Predator B are Unmanned Aerial Vehicles/Systems (UAV/UAS) manufactured by General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI). The aircraft can be transported onboard a Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules or larger military transport aircraft. In the following, we will also be highlighting the differences between the Predator and Reaper.

The MQ-1B Predator is used for close-air-support, air interdiction, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions and is powered by a single Rotax 914F four cylinder aviation fuel piston engine engine with 115 hp. It provides armed reconnaissance, airborne surveillance and target acquisition for the U.S. Air Force. The Predator has a wingspan of 55 feet, is 27 feet long, 6.9 feet high and carries a payload of up to 450 pounds and has a maximum speed of 135 mph (217 km/h). The MQ-1B Predator is equipped with the Raytheon AN/AAS-52 Multi-spectral Targeting System (MTS-A), which includes Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR) video cameras and laser designators. The MQ-1B carries up to twoAGM-114 Hellfire missiles. In March 2011, the USAF received the last of a total of 268 Predators and focus has now shifted to sustainment. In August 2011, the Predator passed the one million flight hour mark. As of September 2013, there were 156 MQ-1Bs in the USAF inventory vs. 165 one year before.

The MQ-1C Gray Eagle is powered by a single Thielert 2.0L heavy-fuel piston engine with 165 hp. It provides an unmanned long-endurance and persistent ISR and tactical strike capability. The Gray Eagle has a wingspan of 56 feet, is 28 feet long, and carries a payload of up to 1,075 pounds. The Gray Eagle is equipped with the Raytheon AN/AAS-53 Common Sensor Payload (CSP), which includes Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) video cameras and laser designators. The MQ-1C also features a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), communications relay, and carries up to four AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. The Army will purchase a total of 29 production units with the last delivery in FY 2015.

The MQ–9 Reaper is powered by a Honeywell TPE331-10GD turboprop engine with 900 shp. The Reaper is a multi-mission ISR and strike UAV/UAS and is significantly larger than the Predator and Gray Eagle. Also, it features a more powerful engine and carries a much greater payload. The MQ-9 has a wingspan of 66 feet, is 36 feet long, 12.5 feet high, and carries a payload of up to 3,850 pounds and flies at speeds of up to 276 mph (444 km/h). The aircraft is equipped with the Raytheon AN/DAS-1 Multi-spectral Targeting System (MTS-B), which has a suite of visual sensors for targeting. The MTS-B integrates an infrared sensor, a color/monochrome daylight TV camera, an image-intensified TV camera, a laser designator, and a laser illuminator. Also, the Reaper features the Lynx multi-mode radar (from General Atomics), a multi-mode maritime surveillance radar, a SIGINT/Electronic Support Measures (ESM) system, and a communications relay. The MQ-9 carries up to four AGM-114 Hellfiremissiles and can also carry Paveway II Laser-Guided Bombs and Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM). For more information about the types of ordnance carried by the MQ-9, please see Armament/Weapons section below. The Air Force plans to purchase a total of 343 MQ-9 production aircraft, the last of which will be procured in FY 2019. By March 2014, the Air Force has contracted for a total of 231 MQ-9 Reapers. As of March 2014 GA-ASI has delivered 163 aircraft, 143 of which are operationally active. As of March 2014, the MQ-9 Reaper has accumulated approximately 493,000 cumulative flight hours. As of September 2013, there were 104 MQ-9s in the USAF inventory (same as one year before).

The main difference between the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper is the size, role, and payload. The Reaper is mainly used as an attack UAV (hunter-killer) and thus carries significantly more ordnance (see armament below for more information). The Predator's primary role is ISR.

AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, while the MQ-1C Gray Eagle carries twice that amount. The MQ-9 Reaper carries a broader range of ordnance and can be equipped with up to 4 Hellfire missiles + two GBU-12 Paveway II Laser-Guided Bombs or two 500-pound GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions(JDAM). On the Reaper, Hellfire missiles are carried on stations 2 and 6 (middle wing stations). Stations 3 and 5 can only carry bombs, while stations 2 and 6 can carry either bombs or the M299P launcher with missiles.

Price/Unit Cost:
The MQ-1B Predator is no longer being purchased by the Air Force. The unit cost of the Army's MQ-1C Gray Eagle is $5.40 million in FY 2014, while the MQ-9 Reaper costs $14.42 million. These prices are for air vehicles only and does not include the cost of ground stations and other associated equipment. For the cost of these items, please refer to the budget downloads below.

MQ-1C - Total Cost - Life of Program (LoP):
The total procurement cost of the MQ-1C program is $3.10 billion (official DoD estimate) + $0.94 billion in research and development (RDT&E) funds, which means the total estimated program cost is $4.04 billion (numbers are aggregated annual funds spent over the life of the program and no price/inflation adjustment was made). This figure excludes military construction (MILCON) costs in support of the program in the amount of $658.2 million.

MQ-9 - Total Cost - Life of Program (LoP):
The total procurement cost of the MQ-9 program is $10.14 billion (official DoD estimate) + $1.65 billion in research and development (RDT&E) funds, which means the total estimated program cost is $11.79 billion (numbers are aggregated annual funds spent over the life of the program and no price/inflation adjustment was made). This figure excludes military construction (MILCON) costs in support of the program in the amount of $75.6 million.

Mission/Role:
The MQ-1 Predator provides the U.S. Air Force with an Over-The-Horizon (OTH), long-endurance, medium-altitude Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) and weapons delivery capability. MQ-1C Gray Eagle provides the U.S. Army with a long-endurance, persistent ISR and tactical strike capability. The Gray Eagle also serves as a communications relay. The MQ-9 Reaper performs multi-mission ISR and hunter-killer missions over land and sea in support of U.S. Air Force operations.

 

[Major Shaitan Singh]

 

[SwAggeR]

Hey !! does IA have to take permission from Pentagon eveytime ,this drone takes off ??

What happened to make in Bharat program?? Double, Triple , Quadaruple or any x,y,z ple the budget of DRDO but develop these on your own. Stop taking crutches from unreliable US. Symbolic proximity with them is enough.

 

[batanee]

 

[Dr Gupta]

What is the use of having unarmed version? amerika selling us dumbed down versions!

 

[C130]

What is the use of having unarmed version? amerika selling us dumbed down versions!

ISR drone is invaluable you don't always need it to be armed. the damn thing can loiters for almost a day
and I think if India wants to arm them they could get help from the British and getting the Brimstone for it.

 

[Dr Gupta]

I would like to have one of these and loiter over my ex gf's husbands car and boom take him out

 

[Major Shaitan Singh]

Predator XP drone embarks on 40+ hour long-endurance flight

During the flight, the Predator XP RPA validated its long-endurance capability by flying at 10,000 feet for greater than 40 hours. Predator XP is currently in production, with the first production aircraft to be delivered in 2016. The UAE, considered to be one of the lead customers for this model is planning to buy 10 such aircraft.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI), has recently completed the longest mission of a Predator Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). The flight performed by a company built launched on February 6 and landed on February 8, 2015 during a 40-plus hour flight conducted at GA-ASI’s Castle Dome Flight Operations Facility located at Yuma Proving Grounds, Ariz.

“This flight truly demonstrated the long- endurance capability of our latest RPA”

During the flight, the Predator XP RPA validated its long-endurance capability by flying at 10,000 feet for greater than 40 hours. The RPA that flew the mission is a production representation aircraft designed and built on Internal Research and Development (IRAD) funds. Predator XP is currently in production, with the first production aircraft to be delivered in 2016. The UAE, considered to be one of the lead customers for this model is planning to buy 10 such aircraft.

“This flight was a landmark event for Predator XP in that it truly demonstrated the long- endurance capability of our latest RPA,” said Frank W. Pace, president, Aircraft Systems, GA-ASI. “In addition, it was a new company record for our aircraft.” Predator XP, an advanced derivative of the mission-proven MQ-1 Predator RPA that has accumulated over two million flight hours since 1994.

Predator XP is an updated version of the company’s flagship Predator RPA that has been licensed by the U.S. Government for sale to a broader customer base to include countries in the Middle East, North Africa, South America, and Asia. In October 2014 the U.S. Government has granted GA-ASI a ‘DSP-5′ export license allowing the company to offer Predator XP to the Government of India. The company is also discussing the potential sale with local industry.

Beyond its long endurance, the aircraft’s distinctive features include wingtip winglets and enhanced payload assembly under the nose. Advanced capabilities include a Satellite Communications (SATCOM) data link; Automatic Takeoff and Landing System (ATLS); a full-motion video camera (optical and infrared); GA-ASI’s Lynx Multi-mode Radar with ground imaging (Synthetic Aperture Radar/ SAR), maritime surface search, and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) modes; an Automatic Identification System (AIS) for maritime patrol; and triple-redundant avionics. Following the export restrictions imposed by the US government, unlike the Predator models used by the CIA and Air Force, or Gray Eagle used by the U.S. Army, Predator XP is not designed to carry weapons.

A family of drones from General Atomics – forward: Predator C ‘Avenger’, far left – MQ-1 Predator I and far right: MQ-9 Reaper.

 

[T90TankGuy]

I would like to have one of these and loiter over my ex gf's husbands car and boom take him out

If you are serious , you seem to have quiet a few unresolved issues. None which cant be chased away with a few rounds of therapy

 

[sudhir007]

can explain tell me if we buy this drone then what is the use of Rustam

 

[sancho]

can explain tell me if we buy this drone then what is the use of Rustam

Only because their government clears the export in general, doesn't mean we buy them. Our forces have the Heron drones and DRDO aims on Rustom H in surveillance and CAS roles, which makes this offer pretty pointless.

 

[kaykay]

Only because their government clears the export in general, doesn't mean we buy them. Our forces have the Heron drones and DRDO aims on Rustom H in surveillance and CAS roles, which makes this offer pretty pointless.

Exactly. If India has to buy some drone from USA, It will be Global hawk to complement P-8Is.

 

[Pindi Boy]

WASHINGTON: India has asked the United States for Predator Avenger drones, which would allow it to remotely drop a bomb on any square inch of Pakistan, the US media reported on Tuesday.

Bloomberg news service has acquired a copy of a formal request the Indian Air Force sent directly to the manufacturers, the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, in September.

If the transaction goes through, India will become one of the first countries to buy the casually called ‘killing machines’, Predator Avenger drones.

“The unmanned aircraft … are sleek, fast, killing machines. From New Delhi they could hunt militants across Pakistan, and become a strategic consideration in border standoffs with China,” the report pointed out.

The report pointed out that growing defence ties between the military establishments of the two countries increases the possibility of this sale.

India was the second-largest buyer of US arms in 2014, up from virtually nothing five years ago.

“The Avengers also represent a small but significant tilt in the strategic dynamics of a region with three nuclear powers and about 40 per cent of the world’s population,” the report observes.

The reported notes that on Sept 22, the US backed India’s membership in the Missile Technology Control Regime, a prerequisite for buying the drones. Two days later, India’s Air Force sent a letter to San Diego-based General Atomics saying it wanted to purchase the Avenger.

The Avengers can fly for 18 hours, carry 3,500 pounds of munitions and reach an altitude of 50,000 feet.

 

[Guynextdoor2]

ISR drone is invaluable you don't always need it to be armed. the damn thing can loiters for almost a day
and I think if India wants to arm them they could get help from the British and getting the Brimstone for it.

I think the general preference for India is HELINA