General Atomics Predator XP

Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

United States | 2017

"The General Atomics Predator XP is an updated version of the proven MQ-1 Predator line of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 01/02/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Image from official General Atomics marketing material.

The General Atomics MQ-1 "Predator" Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) became one of the most important aviation products of the 2000s. Introduced in July of 1995, the series went on to see considerable combat service in the skies over Afghanistan and Iraq during the two major wars there and continues to fly today (2018) with some 360 produced to date. The line was eventually matured into a dedicated attack form in the MQ-9 "Reaper" and has been completely modernized for the rigors of the new battlefield in the "Predator XP".

The Predator XP brings with it a mission endurance window of 35 hours and can reach operating altitudes of 25,000 feet and speeds of 120 knots on a conventional propeller engine. The overall form and function of the Predator line remains as the aircraft continues to showcase the bulbous forward fuselage, housing critical internal systems, straight wing mainplanes (set at midships) and the downward-turned, outward-cranked tail planes. The propeller unit remains at the rear of the design, powered by a conventional engine fit, and is arranged in a pusher configuration. The undercarriage has a three-leg stance and is wheeled for ground-running. Winglets are noted at the tips of each mainplane.

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Predator XP has an autonomous functionality allowing it to complete take-off and landing actions without operator input (this system was proven through the Gray Eagle development - detailed elsewhere on this site). By way of its data-link installation, the system can operate through both line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight as needed - providing considerable tactical advantages in the latter. The payload supports the usual sensors, High-Definition (HD) cameras and systems related to Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) (including maritime) sorties and carries an EO/IR camera for real time delivery of video. Furthermore, the aircraft is equipped to operate in both day and night environments and all-weather types, able to search, track and report on target positions - even those targets on the move. The air vehicle also has a "Lynx" multi-mode radar fit. A triple-redundant flight control system ensures product reliability.

As it stands, the Predator XP is a relatively new release by General Atomics and is actively marketed by the company as a multi-mission performer.

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Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the General Atomics Predator XP Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

1 x Rotax 914 (modified) turbo engine driving a three-bladed propeller unit in pusher configuration.
Propulsion

140 mph
225 kph | 121 kts
Max Speed

25,000 ft
7,620 m | 5 miles
Service Ceiling

2,485 miles
4,000 km | 2,160 nm
Operational Range

City-to-City Ranges
Operational range when compared to distances between major cities (in KM).

NYC

LON

PAR

BER

MOS

TOK

SYD

LAX

NYC

Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the General Atomics Predator XP Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

(MANNED)
Crew

26.2 ft
8.00 m
O/A Length

55.8 ft
(17.00 m)
O/A Width

2,557 lb
(1,160 kg)
MTOW

Design Balance
The three qualities reflected below are altitude, speed, and range. The more full the box, the more balanced the design.

RANGE

ALT

SPEED

Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the General Atomics Predator XP Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) .

None. Mission equipment consists of systems related to Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) gathering.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the General Atomics Predator XP family line.

Predator XP - Base Series Name

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the General Atomics Predator XP. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 0 Units
Contractor(s): General Atomics - USA

[ United States ]

Relative Max Speed

Hi: 150mph

Lo: 75mph

Aircraft Max Listed Speed (140mph).

Graph Average of 113 MPH.

Era Crossover

Showcasing Aircraft Era Crossover (if any)

Max Alt Visualization

MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

♦

Aviation Timeline

EarlyYrs

WWI

Interwar

WWII

ColdWar

Postwar

Modern

Future

♦

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Image of the General Atomics Predator XP

Image from official General Atomics marketing material.

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Image from official General Atomics marketing material.

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Image from official General Atomics marketing material.

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Mission Roles
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to airborne requirements.

RECONNAISSANCE

UNMANNED

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Going Further...
The General Atomics Predator XP Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) appears in the following collections:

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