It would seem then that no DRONES presently, are going to make it from Australia to Pakistan and back, or even just to Pakistan.Predator Drone Specifications
May 11, 2012 By George Clode
The Predator system was designed in response to a Department of Defence requirement to provide persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance information combined with a kill capability to the war-fighter.
In April 1996, the secretary of defence selected the US Air Force as the operating service for the RQ-1 Predator system. The ‘R’ is the Department of Defence (DOD) designation for reconnaissance aircraft. The ‘M’ is the DOD designation for multi-role, and ‘Q’ means unmanned aircraft system. The ‘1’ refers to the aircraft being the first of the series of remotely piloted aircraft systems.
A change in designation from RQ-1 to MQ-1 occurred in 2002 with the addition of the AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. During August 2011, Predator passed its one millionth total development, test, training, and combat hours mark – a significant accomplishment for the US Air Force.
General Characteristics
Primary Function: Armed reconnaissance, airborne surveillance, and target acquisition
Contractor: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.
Power Plant: Rotax 914F four cylinder engine
Thrust: 115 horsepower
Wingspan: 55 feet (16.8 meters)
Length: 27 feet (8.22 meters)
Height: 6.9 feet (2.1 meters)
Weight: 1,130 pounds (512 kilograms) empty
Fuel Capacity: 665 pounds (100 gallons)
Speed: Cruise speed around 84 mph (70 knots), up to 135 mph
Range: Up to 770 miles (675 nautical miles)
Ceiling: Up to 25,000 feet (7,620 meters)
Armament: Two laser-guided AGM-114 Hellfire missiles
Crew (remote): Two (pilot and sensor operator)
Unit Cost: $20 million (fiscal 2009 dollars) (includes four aircraft, a ground control station and a Predator Primary Satellite Link)
Reaper Drone Specs...
The typical MQ-9 system is composed of multiple aircraft, ground-control stations, satellites, and flight and maintenance crews.
The aircraft is powered by a 950 horsepower turboprop, with a maximum speed of about 260 knots (300 miles per hour or 483 km per hour) and a cruising speed of 150-170 knots (278 to 315 km/hour).
With a 66 ft (20 m) wingspan, and a maximum payload of 3,800 lb (1,700 kg), the MQ-9 can be armed with a variety of weaponry, including Hellfire missiles and 500-lb laser-guided bomb units.
The Reaper has a range of 3,682 mi (5,926 km) and an operational altitude of 50,000 ft (15,000 m), which makes it especially useful for long-term loitering operations, both for surveillance and support of ground troops.
All Predator variants are designed for military operations, not to operate among crowded airline traffic. The Predator lacks systems capable of complying with FAA See-And-Avoid regulations.
Does this justify a
