Extended Range Variant of PREDATOR C
On 27 October, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., (GA-ASI) conducted the first successful flight test for the AVENGER ER UAS, an extended range version of the PREDATOR C AVENGER, which has accumulated over 13,000 flight hours to date.
Extending endurance from 15 to 20 hours by comparison with its predecessor, AVENGER also carries an additional 2,200lbs in fuel and has a wingspan increased to 76ft. It boasts a 3,000lb payload capacity and is intended to carry sensors such as the GA-ASI LYNX multimode radar, the MS-177 EO/IR sensor or the 2,000lb Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM).
“The first flight of AVENGER ER is a significant achievement in the evolution of PREDATOR C’s proven performance and multi-mission capability,” said Linden Blue, the company’s CEO. “The increased endurance and high payload capacity will deliver tremendous capability to our customers, who need persistent situational awareness and strike mission affordability.“