. Military Space News .
UAV NEWS
U.S. Air Force to retire MQ-1 Predator drone in 2018
by Ryan Maass
Washington (UPI) Feb 24, 2017


disclaimer: image is for illustration purposes only

The U.S. Air Force is preparing to phase out its MQ-1 Predator drones in favor of an all-MQ-9 Reaper fleet in 2018.

The Predator's retirement will effectively conclude the unmanned aerial vehicle's 21 years of service with the Air Force. The platform supported intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions for the branch in addition to targeted strikes in enemy territory.

In a statement explaining the move, Air Force officials note the more modern MQ-9 Reaper is better equipped, and features overall superior operational capabilities.

"Right now the plan is to stop flying the MQ-1 in 2018, and that means we need to get transitioned this year," Lt. Col James said.

The MQ-1 Predator, a remotely piloted aircraft system capable of performing 24-hour missions, came equipped with a Multi-Spectral Targeting System and air-to-ground Hellfire missiles. The aircraft features a 450-pound payload capacity, a 25,000-foot flight ceiling, and is able to reach cruising speeds around 84 miles per hour.

The MQ-9 Reaper, also built by General Atomics, has a 3,750-pound payload capacity, a 50,000-foot flight ceiling, and is able to reach cruising speeds around 230 miles per hour.

"I think when we look at the legacy of the MQ-1 we're going to be scratching our heads wondering how we did so much with so little," 432nd Operations Group commander Col. Joseph said.

UAV NEWS
Scientists train drones to land on moving targets
Cincinnati (UPI) Feb 23, 2017
Scientists at the University of Cincinnati successfully trained drones to autonomously land on moving targets. Researchers say "fuzzy logic" was the key to their success. Landing a drone on a moving target requires precision. "It has to land within a designated area with a small margin of error," Manish Kumar, associate professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Cin ... read more

Related Links
UAV News - Suppliers and Technology


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


Comment on this article using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

UAV NEWS
Jenoptik contracted for Patriot missile components

Protesters sue to stop US missile system in S. Korea

Raytheon developing new tool for war game assessment

U.S. Army awards $3 billion in missile defense contracts

UAV NEWS
Iran tests missiles in naval exercises

Russia's Next Gen S-500 Prototype Launch Date Announced

U.K., France to upgrade long-range Storm Shadow missiles

Turkey finalizing S-400 missile deal with Russia

UAV NEWS
Leonardo rotary drone demonstrator program enters phase 2

Chinese drone Wing-Loong II conducts maiden flight

GA-ASI forms team to supply Reaper drones to Australia

U.S. Air Force to retire MQ-1 Predator drone in 2018

UAV NEWS
General Dynamics gets enterprise communications contract

Space aggressors jam AF, allies' systems

Harris intros new wideband manpack radio system

Russia showcases jam-proof communications system

UAV NEWS
Russia to start testing TIGR unmanned armored car in 2017

Atlas Elektronik contracted for ARCIMS vehicles

U.S. Marines place $150M order for Target Sight Systems

Orbital ATK reports new orders for Bushmaster guns

UAV NEWS
BAE Systems eyes defence spending by Trump

UAE signs over $5 bln in deals at arms fair

Pentagon chief says military running smoothly amid turbulent transition

SIPRI: Arms imports rise in Asia, Middle East

UAV NEWS
Wary US and China pledge respect at first Trump-era meet

Erdogan says paper to pay 'price' over controversial report

Russia and UK hold high-level military talks in Moscow

Russia wants to form new Collective Security Bloc that replaces NATO

UAV NEWS
Scientists create a nano-trampoline to probe quantum behavior

Scientists decipher the nanoscale architecture of a beetle's shell

Switched-on DNA spark nano-electronic applications

Liquid metal nano printing set to revolutionize electronics









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.