General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle: Difference between revisions
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The aircraft's nose fairing has been enlarged to house a [[Synthetic aperture radar|Synthetic Aperture Radar]]/Ground Moving Target Indicator (SAR-GMTI) system, and targeting is also provided with an AN/AAS-52 Multi-spectral Targeting System (MTS) under the nose. The aircraft can carry a payload of {{convert|800|lb|kg}} and can be armed with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and [[GBU-44/B Viper Strike]] [[Precision-guided munition|guided bombs]].<ref name="defenseupdate2006"/> |
The aircraft's nose fairing has been enlarged to house a [[Synthetic aperture radar|Synthetic Aperture Radar]]/Ground Moving Target Indicator (SAR-GMTI) system, and targeting is also provided with an AN/AAS-52 Multi-spectral Targeting System (MTS) under the nose. The aircraft can carry a payload of {{convert|800|lb|kg}} and can be armed with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and [[GBU-44/B Viper Strike]] [[Precision-guided munition|guided bombs]].<ref name="defenseupdate2006"/> |
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===Reliability Problems=== |
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Beginning in March 2011, Grey Eagles started showing poor relibility across all major subsystems. During that month, one Grey Eagle crashed in California when a faulty chip blocked a subsystem from sending commands to part of the aircraft's flight control surfaces. Flight testing was delayed, was resumed when the chip was replaced, but left the drone with fewer available flight hours. The average time between failures of the aircraft or components is 25 hours, while the minimum required is 100 hours. The ground control station's time between failures is 27 hours, while the minimum time required is 150 hours. Sensors fail at 134 hours, compared to 250 hours required. In October 2011, a report concluded the Grey Eagle was meeting only four out of seven "key performance parameters," and its reliability continued to fall short of predicted growth. Software fixes have led to 11 unplanned software revisions, but has generally improved reliability.<ref>[http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/06/grey-eagle/ Grey Eagle relibility problems] - Wired.com, June 15, 2012</ref> |
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==Operational history== |
==Operational history== |
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|missiles=4 × [[AGM-114 Hellfire]] |
|missiles=4 × [[AGM-114 Hellfire]] or 8 × [[AIM-92 Stinger]] |
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|hardpoints=4 |
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|avionics=<li>AN/ZPY-1 [[STARLite Radar]]<ref>[http://www.es.northropgrumman.com/solutions/starlite/index.html Northrop Grumman AN/ZPY-1 STARLite Radar]</ref></li> |
|avionics=<li>AN/ZPY-1 [[STARLite Radar]]<ref>[http://www.es.northropgrumman.com/solutions/starlite/index.html Northrop Grumman AN/ZPY-1 STARLite Radar]</ref></li> |
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Revision as of 17:39, 16 June 2012
| MQ-1C Grey Eagle | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
| |
| Role | UCAV |
| Manufacturer | General Atomics |
| First flight | October 2004 |
| Introduction | 2009 |
| Primary user | United States Army |
| Developed from | MQ-1 Predator |
The General Atomics MQ-1C Grey Eagle (previously the Warrior and also called Sky Warrior and Gray Eagle[1] by General Atomics) is an Extended-Range Multi-Purpose (ERMP) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) under development by General Atomics (GA), funded by United States Army. It is an upgrade of the MQ-1 Predator.
Development
The U.S. Army initiated the Extended-Range Multi-Purpose UAV competition in 2002, with the winning aircraft due to replace the RQ-5 Hunter. Two aircraft were entered, an upgraded version of the RQ-5 Hunter, and the Warrior. In August 2005, the Army announced the Warrior to be the winner and awarded a $214 million contract for system development and demonstration. The Army intends to procure eleven Warrior systems, each of these units has twelve UAVs and five ground control stations. With an expected total program cost of $1 billion, the aircraft is expected to become operational in 2009.[2]
The Army sought to have the Warrior designated MQ-12, but the United States Department of Defense allocated the designation MQ-1C instead.[3] The drones are planned to be operated by Task Force ODIN in Iraq and/or Afghanistan. In August 2010, the US Army announced that the MQ-1C had officially been assigned the name Grey Eagle.[4][5]
The Army announced on 3 September 2010 that the integration of the AGM-114 Hellfire missile on the Grey Eagle had been so successful that 4 weaponized Grey Eagles would be deployed to Afghanistan in late 2010.[6]
Design
A Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UAV, the Grey Eagle has an increased wingspan and is powered by a Thielert Centurion 1.7 Heavy Fuel Engine (HFE).[7] This is a diesel piston engine that burns jet fuel, giving the aircraft better performance at high altitudes. It will be capable of operating for 36 hours at altitudes up to 25,000 feet (7,600 m),[2] with an operating range of 200 nautical miles (400 km).[8]
The aircraft's nose fairing has been enlarged to house a Synthetic Aperture Radar/Ground Moving Target Indicator (SAR-GMTI) system, and targeting is also provided with an AN/AAS-52 Multi-spectral Targeting System (MTS) under the nose. The aircraft can carry a payload of 800 pounds (360 kg) and can be armed with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and GBU-44/B Viper Strike guided bombs.[8]
Reliability Problems
Beginning in March 2011, Grey Eagles started showing poor relibility across all major subsystems. During that month, one Grey Eagle crashed in California when a faulty chip blocked a subsystem from sending commands to part of the aircraft's flight control surfaces. Flight testing was delayed, was resumed when the chip was replaced, but left the drone with fewer available flight hours. The average time between failures of the aircraft or components is 25 hours, while the minimum required is 100 hours. The ground control station's time between failures is 27 hours, while the minimum time required is 150 hours. Sensors fail at 134 hours, compared to 250 hours required. In October 2011, a report concluded the Grey Eagle was meeting only four out of seven "key performance parameters," and its reliability continued to fall short of predicted growth. Software fixes have led to 11 unplanned software revisions, but has generally improved reliability.[9]
Operational history
The Army's 1st Infantry Division's combat aviation brigade deployed to Iraq with Grey Eagles in June 2010.[10]
Budget requests for the Eagle continued into 2012.[11][failed verification]
Specifications
Data from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Gray Eagle.[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 0
Performance
- Endurance: 30 hours
Armament
- Hardpoints: 4
- Missiles: 4 × AGM-114 Hellfire or 8 × AIM-92 Stinger
Avionics
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
- ^ a b General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Gray Eagle
- ^ a b "Army awards 'Warrior' long-range UAV contract". Army News Service. 2005-08-05.
- ^ "General Atomics RQ/MQ-1 Predator". Designation Systems.
- ^ Gourley, Scott (24 August 2010). "AUVSI: It's Official: 'Grey Eagle'". Shephard Group Limited. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
That's 'Grey Eagle' as 'G-R-E-Y," added Col Robert Sova, US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Capabilities Manager for Unmanned Aircraft Systems. 'The naming nomenclature, of course, is usually after an Indian chief or Indian tribe and I would suggest that you look up 'Grey Eagle,' because there is a good history of that particular Indian chief and his lineage with the army and special operations. So it is not only a 'cool' name, it has substance and meaning behind it.
- ^ "US Army ERMP dubbed "Grey Eagle"". Australian Aviation. 30 August 2010.
- ^ "'Grey Eagle' Weaponized UAS slated for Afghanistan". US Army. 3 September 2010.
- ^ "Thielert Centurion 1.7 (Germany), Power plants". Jane's Information Group. Retrieved 2009-08-28.
- ^ a b "ERMP Extended-Range Multi-Purpose UAV". Defense Update. 2006-11-01.
- ^ Grey Eagle relibility problems - Wired.com, June 15, 2012
- ^ "Army unit flies new unmanned aircraft in Iraq". US Army. 29 November 2010.
- ^ U.S. Navy And Air Force ISR Plans In Jeopardy April 23 , 2012
- ^ Northrop Grumman AN/ZPY-1 STARLite Radar
External links
