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War Merchants Complete Upgraded Predator Testing
Upgraded Predator B UAV completes development and testing
By Darren Quick
September 6, 2012
The Block 1 Predator B (pictured) has received an upgrade with a successful first test flight carried out in May (Photo: GA-ASI)
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Having racked up more than 420,000 flight hours, the venerable Block 1 Predator B (aka the MQ-9 Reaper) UAV that General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has been producing since 2003 has received an upgrade. The revamped Predator B gets a bump in electrical power, more secure communications, auto land capabilities, streamlined payload integration capabilities and an increase in Gross Takeoff Weight (GTOW) to handle heavier payloads or additional fuel.
The Predator B’s increased electrical power capacity comes courtesy of a new high-capacity starter generator, with the upgraded electrical system also including a backup generator that can power all the UAV’s flight critical systems, and three independent power sources to improve the aircraft’s reliability. The aircraft will also be able to carry heavier payloads or additional fuel thanks to its new trailing arm main landing gear………….READMOREHERE
