General Atomics flew its Predator B unmanned air vehicle for the first time on 2 February from the company's El Mirage, California, test airfield. Developed from the US Air Force's RQ-1 Predator, the Predator B is powered by a Honeywell TPE331 turboprop in place of the earlier UAV's piston engine. The new powerplant increases the Predator B's operating altitude to 50,000ft (15,250m). General Atomics is also working on a Predator B powered by the Williams FJ44-2A turbojet.
Source: Flight International
