Pakistan is asking for drones to fight against terrorists....
The MQ-9 Reaper (originally the Predator B) is a Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) (also known as a Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV)) developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) for use by the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, Italian Air Force, and the Royal Air Force. The MQ-9 is the first hunter-killer UAV designed for long-endurance, high-altitude surveillance.
The MQ-9 is a larger and more capable aircraft than the earlier MQ-1 Predator, although it can be controlled by the same ground systems used to control MQ-1s. The MQ-9 has a 950-shaft-horsepower (712 kW) turboprop engine, far more powerful than the Predator's 115 hp (86 kW) piston engine. The increase in power allows the Reaper to carry 15 times more ordnance and cruise at three times the speed of the MQ-1.
The MQ-9 is a larger and more capable aircraft than the earlier MQ-1 Predator, although it can be controlled by the same ground systems used to control MQ-1s. The MQ-9 has a 950-shaft-horsepower (712 kW) turboprop engine, far more powerful than the Predator's 115 hp (86 kW) piston engine. The increase in power allows the Reaper to carry 15 times more ordnance and cruise at three times the speed of the MQ-1.
In 2008 the New York Air National Guard 174th Fighter Wing began the transition from F-16 piloted planes to MQ-9 Reaper UAVs, which are capable of remote controlled or autonomous flight operations, becoming the first all-UAV attack squadron.
Then U.S. Air Force (USAF) Chief of Staff General T. Michael Moseley said, "We've moved from using UAVs primarily in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance roles before Operation Iraqi Freedom, to a true hunter-killer role with the Reaper."
The terms Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) and Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV) are generally synonymous terms, however the USAF MQ-9 community currently prefers and considers the term RPV to be more accurate.
Then U.S. Air Force (USAF) Chief of Staff General T. Michael Moseley said, "We've moved from using UAVs primarily in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance roles before Operation Iraqi Freedom, to a true hunter-killer role with the Reaper."
The terms Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) and Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV) are generally synonymous terms, however the USAF MQ-9 community currently prefers and considers the term RPV to be more accurate.
Although the MQ-9 can fly pre-programmed routes autonomously, the aircraft is always monitored or controlled by aircrew in the Ground Control Station (GCS) and weapons employment is always commanded by the pilot.
As of 2009 the U.S. Air Force’s fleet stands at 195 Predators and 28 Reapers.
As of 2009 the U.S. Air Force’s fleet stands at 195 Predators and 28 Reapers.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Contractor: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Incorporated
Crew: None
Landing Type: runway
Launch Type: runway
Power Plant: Honeywell TP331-10 turboprop engine, 950 SHP (712 kW)
Fuel Capacity: 1815 kg (4,000 lb)
Length: 10.9728 m (36 ft)
Wingspan: 20.1168 m (66 ft)
Height: 3.8 m (12.5 ft)
Empty weight: 2223 kg (4,900 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 4760 kg (10,500 lb)
PERFORMANCE
Service ceiling: 15 km (50,000 ft)
Operational altitude: 7.5 km (25,000 ft)
Contractor: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Incorporated
Crew: None
Landing Type: runway
Launch Type: runway
Power Plant: Honeywell TP331-10 turboprop engine, 950 SHP (712 kW)
Fuel Capacity: 1815 kg (4,000 lb)
Length: 10.9728 m (36 ft)
Wingspan: 20.1168 m (66 ft)
Height: 3.8 m (12.5 ft)
Empty weight: 2223 kg (4,900 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 4760 kg (10,500 lb)
PERFORMANCE
Service ceiling: 15 km (50,000 ft)
Operational altitude: 7.5 km (25,000 ft)
Endurance: 14–28 hours (14 hours fully loaded)
Range: 5,926 km (3,200 nmi, 3,682 mi)
Payload: 3,800 lb (1,700 kg)
Internal: 800 lb (360 kg)
External: 3,000 lb (1,400 kg)
Maximum speed: 482 km/h (300 mph, 260 knots)
Cruise speed: 276–313 km/h (172–195 mph, 150–170 knots)
SENSORS
AN/APY-8 Lynx II radar
AN/DAS-1 MTS-B Multi-Spectral Targeting System
ARMAMENT
6 Hardpoints
1,500 lb (680 kg) on the two inboard weapons stations
500–600 lb (230–270 kg) on the two middle stations
150–200 lb (68–91 kg) on the outboard stations
Up to 14 AGM-114 Hellfire air to ground missiles can be carried or four Hellfire missiles and two 500 lb (230 kg) GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs. The 500 lb (230 kg) GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) can also be carried. Testing is underway to support the operation of the AIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missile.
Range: 5,926 km (3,200 nmi, 3,682 mi)
Payload: 3,800 lb (1,700 kg)
Internal: 800 lb (360 kg)
External: 3,000 lb (1,400 kg)
Maximum speed: 482 km/h (300 mph, 260 knots)
Cruise speed: 276–313 km/h (172–195 mph, 150–170 knots)
SENSORS
AN/APY-8 Lynx II radar
AN/DAS-1 MTS-B Multi-Spectral Targeting System
ARMAMENT
6 Hardpoints
1,500 lb (680 kg) on the two inboard weapons stations
500–600 lb (230–270 kg) on the two middle stations
150–200 lb (68–91 kg) on the outboard stations
Up to 14 AGM-114 Hellfire air to ground missiles can be carried or four Hellfire missiles and two 500 lb (230 kg) GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs. The 500 lb (230 kg) GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) can also be carried. Testing is underway to support the operation of the AIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missile.
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