UK Ministry of Defense has selected the General Atomics Certifiable Predator® B (CPB) Remote Piloted Aircraft system, to replace its armed ...
UK Ministry of Defense has selected the General Atomics Certifiable Predator® B (CPB) Remote Piloted Aircraft system, to replace its armed MQ-9 Reaper drones, capable of flying over national airspace.
The UK CPB will have some specific modifications, to fulfill the country's future armed Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) requirements.
The CPB will be capable to operate within unsegregated controlled airspace, featuring enhanced safety and reliability systems, meeting European airworthiness certification standards.
Based on GA's Predator B RPA, the CPB will be fully compliant with NATO's UAV System Airworthiness Requirements (STANAG 4671) with lightning protection and sense and avoid technology; performance changes include a 79 ft (24 m) wingspan that has winglets and enough fuel for a 40-hour endurance at 45,000 ft .
According to the 2015 Strategic Defense and Security Review, the Royal Air Force will operate at least 20 Protector systems by 2025, replacing all of its current 10 MQ-9 Reapers.
The procurement will occur through a hybrid Foreign Military Sales/Direct Commercial Sale agreement with the U.S. government.
Construction of CPB has begun, with fuselage integration currently underway, followed by wings and tails integration planned for late summer 2016. Flight testing of the CPB airframe is scheduled for late 2016.
The UK CPB will have some specific modifications, to fulfill the country's future armed Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) requirements.
The CPB will be capable to operate within unsegregated controlled airspace, featuring enhanced safety and reliability systems, meeting European airworthiness certification standards.
Based on GA's Predator B RPA, the CPB will be fully compliant with NATO's UAV System Airworthiness Requirements (STANAG 4671) with lightning protection and sense and avoid technology; performance changes include a 79 ft (24 m) wingspan that has winglets and enough fuel for a 40-hour endurance at 45,000 ft .
According to the 2015 Strategic Defense and Security Review, the Royal Air Force will operate at least 20 Protector systems by 2025, replacing all of its current 10 MQ-9 Reapers.
The procurement will occur through a hybrid Foreign Military Sales/Direct Commercial Sale agreement with the U.S. government.
Construction of CPB has begun, with fuselage integration currently underway, followed by wings and tails integration planned for late summer 2016. Flight testing of the CPB airframe is scheduled for late 2016.
