The export licensed General Atomics Predator® XP, an derivative of the mission-proven MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, has successfull...
Predator XP validated its long-endurance capability by flying at 10,000 feet for greater than 40 hours. The flight was launched on February 6 and landed back on February 8 at GA's Castle Dome Flight Operations Facility located at Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona.
The production representation aircraft was developed on GA's Internal Research and Development (IRAD) funds.
Predator XP 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.
Predator XP is currently in production, with the first production aircraft to be delivered to UAE in 2016.
United Arab Emirates has signed a $197 million deal in 2013, to purchase the Predator XP, becoming the first non-NATO customer.
The aircraft's 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.
The famous Predator RPA has accumulated over two million flight hours since introduction in 1994.
