GUY NORRIS / LOS ANGELES
The first jet-powered demonstrator could be flying in a couple of months in response to USAF requests
General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI), is studying accelerating the assembly of its first jet-powered Predator B unmanned air vehicle demonstrator following increased US Air Force interest.
GA-ASI vice president Thomas Cassidy says: "We hope to get it flying in as little as a month or two," and adds that efforts are under way to "get three Predators, two turboprop and one jet into the 2002 defence budget. We also want to get some into the 2003 budget for evaluation."
The original plan called for the UAV, powered by a single Williams-Rolls FJ44-2A turbojet, to fly in early 2002, but GA-ASI says growing USAF interest in the jet-powered version's additional capabilities has prompted the accelerated development. The timing of the renewed interest coincides with the recent loss of the piston-powered RQ-1 Predator over Iraq, although the company declines to comment on the significance of the event.
The engine for the jet-powered prototype is undergoing acceptance testing at GA-ASI's Adelanto advanced development site in California, close to the El Mirage test and evaluation base.
The jet Predator is expected to fly at speeds up to 270kt (500km/h) and altitudes up to 60,000ft (18,300m) against the piston-engined UAV's 118kt and 25,000ft.
The turboprop-powered Predator B, powered by a Honeywell TPE331-10T engine, is designed to cruise at 45,000ft at speeds up to 210kt. In flight tests at Edwards AFB, the prototype reached 48,000ft, says GA-ASI, which began the test programme in February. The last phase of tests, due for completion in October, is aimed at performance evaluation with varying loads, higher weights and differing fuel transfer configurations.
Source: Flight International
