Tests of an armed General Atomics RQ-1A Predator unmanned air vehicle (UAV) are to take place within the next two months. The USAir Force will equip the UAV with the Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missile for the tests.
The trials in October or November will determine whether the Predator - which is equipped for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations - can be used for attack missions (Flight International 25-31 July).
Operational RQ-1s are being fitted with designators to allow the UAV to direct laser guided bombs as well as self-designate the laser-guided Hellfire.
Although the RQ-1 was designed with two wing pylons for sensor payloads, these are being moved outboard to carry Hellfire launchers so that the missile firing has minimal affect on the UAV's fuselage mounted powerplant.
The flight testing first phase will include two low-altitude Hellfire launches with the missile targeted by a ground-based laser in the first firing and the Predator self-designating the second.
If the tests validate the armed Predator concept, a second round of trials next year will include Hellfire launches from 15,000-20,000ft (4,600-6,000m), the UAV's normal operating altitude.
This second round would be followed by the USAF drafting a concept of operations and Operational Requirements Document for the armed Predator. One issue that remains to be resolved is whether Predator will have to jettison unexpended weapons, before landing, to minimise risk.
Source: Flight International
