| MQ-1C Grey Eagle | |
|---|---|
| Role | UCAV |
| Manufacturer | General Atomics |
| First flight | October 2004 |
| Introduction | 2009 |
| Primary user | United States Army |
| Program cost | $1 billion |
| Unit cost | US$90,9 million (2011) [1] (system includes 4 aircraft(US$8 million/aircraft[2]), ground control stations, and Predator Primary Satellite Link) |
| Developed from | MQ-1 Predator |
The General Atomics MQ-1C Grey Eagle (previously the Warrior and also called Sky Warrior and Gray Eagle[3] by General Atomics) is an Extended-Range Multi-Purpose (ERMP) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) under development by General Atomics (GA), funded by United States Army. It is an upgrade of the MQ-1 Predator.
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The U.S. Army initiated the Extended-Range Multi-Purpose UAV competition in 2002, with the winning aircraft due to replace the RQ-5 Hunter. Two aircraft were entered, an upgraded version of the RQ-5 Hunter, and the Warrior. In August 2005, the Army announced the Warrior to be the winner and awarded a $214 million contract for system development and demonstration. The Army intends to procure 11 Warrior systems, each of these units has 12 UAVs and five ground control stations. With an expected total program cost of $1 billion, the aircraft is expected to become operational in 2009.[4]
The Army sought to have the Warrior designated MQ-12, but the United States Department of Defense allocated the designation MQ-1C instead.[5] The drones are planned to be operated by Task Force ODIN in Iraq and/or Afghanistan. In August 2010, the US Army announced that the MQ-1C had officially been assigned the name Grey Eagle.[6][7]
The Army announced on 3 September 2010 that the integration of the Hellfire missile on the Grey Eagle had been so successful that 4 weaponized Grey Eagles would be deployed to Afghanistan in late 2010.[8]
A Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UAV, the Grey Eagle has an increased wingspan and is powered by a Thielert Centurion 1.7 Heavy Fuel Engine (HFE).[9] This is a diesel piston engine that burns jet fuel, giving the aircraft better performance at high altitudes. It will be capable of operating for 36 hours at altitudes up to 25,000 feet (7,600 m),[4] with an operating range of 200 nautical miles (400 km).[10]
The aircraft's nose fairing has been enlarged to house a Synthetic Aperture Radar/Ground Moving Target Indicator (SAR-GMTI) system, and targeting is also provided with an AN/AAS-52 Multi-spectral Targeting System (MTS) under the nose. The aircraft can carry a payload of 800 pounds (360 kg) and can be armed with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and GBU-44/B Viper Strike guided bombs.[10]
The Army's 1st Infantry Division's combat aviation brigade deployed to Iraq with Grey Eagles in June 2010.[11]
Data from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Gray Eagle.[3]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Avionics
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