General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) reported progress toward the creation of a NATO-certifiable version of the Predator B, also known as the Reaper. The company is eyeing potential orders from Germany, the Netherlands and Spain for such a development, as well as re-orders from France, Italy and the UK. GA-ASI has also announced the operational fielding of the extended-range (ER) version of the Reaper by the U.S. Air Force, and an order for an improved version of the Gray Eagle, which is the U.S. Army version of the Predator.   

In a 48-minute flight from GA-ASI’s airfield at Gray Butte near Palmdale, Calif., a company-owned Predator B tested a Rohde & Schwarz MR6000A air traffic control radio. GA-ASI noted that this VHF/UHF radio is certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and in service on the Airbus A400M airlifter. The company has already flown a Due Regard Radar (DRR) of its own design on the Predator-B. To achieve certification, GA-ASI also intends to add a de-icing system and modify the structure to withstand bird and lightning strikes. The target date to complete the first Certifiable Predator B (CPB) is late 2017.

The U.S. Air Force is buying 38 Reaper ER versions in a Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) contract on “a challenging schedule” according to GA-ASI. Two wing-mounted fuel tanks extend the aircraft’s endurance to 33 to 35 hours. All the original weapons/payload pylons are retained. To accomodate the higher gross weight, the Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop powerplant is modified with a four-blade propeller and an alcohol/water injection system, and a heavyweight trailing arm landing gear installed. The changes can be installed in the field.

The U.S. Army announced this week a full-rate production contract for 19 Improved Gray Eagles (IGEs), for delivery by September 2018. It previously ordered 152 of the original MQ-1C version. They have flown more than 228,000 hours since 2008, GA-ASI reported. The IGE has an increased MTOW (4,200l pounds versus 3,600 pounds) and a redesigned lower fuselage that contains 850 pounds of internal fuel plus a centerline hardpoint for an optional fuel pod that adds another 450 pounds. This brings the type’s endurance to nearly 40 hours.