USAF Predator, Reaper and classified UCAV Programmes

[Lazer-Hound]

Interesting overview: http://www.afa.org/magazine/jan2007/0107UAV.asp

Isn't the RAF supposed to be getting a whole 2 Predators (or Reapers) this year?

[Fast but Safe]

The total cost of each Predator, that is in use now, is $4m. They come boxed like a glider and can be made ready in 6hrs. Of course the back-up and continuous maintenance will not be cheap. But guys, £4m(ish) for 2 Predators? These things have changed the outlook on tactical reconnaissance in a massive way. Let's not make this a time to penny pinch.

People have mis-used this comment before, but this bit of kit is the future and very much needed on the front line. If we had just 10 of these placed in British controlled areas, we would be saving many fatalities and many more injuries.

It's pretty obvious isn't it........I hope it's not too obvious to overlook!

FbS

[GreenKnight121]

"Sorry, you have not made a successful Business Case, therefore your request for an actual useable number of UAVs has been denied. Please make do with the PR-only amount supplied. Yrs, Treasury"

[Phoney Tony]

Do not be fooled by the cheap cost of the air vehicle. The real cost drivers are the payload, analysis equipment and personnel and bandwidth.......if you can get it.

[In Tor Wot]

FBS, the cost you quoted was the approximate price of the Preditor A air vehicle only, ground control system, analysis and comms are extra.
UK's buying the Predator B (MQ-9) which are coming in at a little over £10m each (airframe only). However, GCS, coms, analysis workstations and analysts (5 analysts for EO/IR only) push the total cost to just over £70m. Even so the support required for the aircaft is no different to that required for tac recce jets so when you start to add the cost of a couple of tonkas/puffer jetts to sensors/analysis kit/analysts etc Pred B is a whole lot cheaper and we don't need to risk pink bodies in the process.

Predator B also carries the Lynx - http://www.mindfully.org/Technology/Lynx-SAR-I-GNAT-ScandiaWinter99-00.htm - MTI/SAR as well as the video. There is also a possibility of using the sensor from the Raptor pod on the airframe at the same time.

All in all, a superb bit of kit - as long as you buy the extras, ignore them and you may as well save the cash.

And no, it's not true, the pilots aren't required to wear flying suits - they choose to, but I do thing the g-pants are a little excessive! :p

[ProfessionalStudent]

All in all, a superb bit of kit - as long as you buy the extras, ignore them and you may as well save the cash.


OUR Government? Penny pinch? Never! I'm sure they plumped for the gold plated, Ghia trim, with leather seats and climate control and everything! :E

[London Mil]

Let me guess, 39 (1PRU) Sqn will rise like a Phoenix. I suspect that the two on order will be joined by another few in the coming months/years.

[Fast but Safe]

In Tor Wot, you obviously have a very good understanding of the kit and also our possible investment which is imminent. Thanks for putting me right on that. I'm also aware of the capabilities of the Pred B, and I have to say that it is a totally different monster. The payload as you know, is multiplied drastically from the basic (but still capable) Pred.

This is the time for our masters to strike while the iron is hot and make this happen on a greater scale. When we all look at the failures of recent outlays, and outlays that cut deep into our budget, I can't but help to think they will go for the bare minimum on this. Normal troops on the ground un-protected by an eye in the sky is not a great moral booster let me tell you that. If I was on patrol in a hot area, I'd have a warm feeling that a Pred is looking in the places round the corner where something or someone might be waiting for us.

All in all, this is just a forum. A place we can chat about military 'stuff'. Even though it's a long shot, I really do hope that those above with a little power in the advisory role read this and push for the Pred B program a few levels higher than planned.

FbS

[L J R]

Unfortunately, Gerneral Atomics only produce a few of these beasts per (insert you favourite time period... month/year...), and EVERYONE has one or more on order. (US Border patrol HAS two but crashed one - Therefore wants more) - along with the USAF 42nd Attk Sqn (Creech) and US Navy - Mariner.... and RAAF (Maybe?) and Italy et al. If your RAF intends to order up to 7 more, I'm sure you will get them, but in what timeframe??

Will the Waddington spotters ever see one T/O or land on UK soil ????...now that is the question - Or will the punters have to go out to Benbecular to see your UCAVs in action. Does parc-Aberporth have a place to play in this emerging web??


More to the point, will a UK Predator B fire a Hellfire or drop a JDAM. Or did you not get those bits.

[In Tor Wot]

LJR - As I understand it the Pred Bs will be 'fitted for but, not with' the weapons. I'm not sure why, but suspect it's an issue of cost at the moment.
As for flying in the UK - if the rationale is the same as the failed bid of 2004/5, the reason they'll not be coming to the UK is to save having to pay the VAT. :ugh:

What they will do with them at the end of current ops is not clear - base them in France perhaps? :eek:

[Heimdall]

I imagine the logical place to station the Predator B's is Waddington, whether they'll ever be cleared to actually fly in the UK in anything other than a restricted area is another matter.

www.spyflight.co.uk/predator.htm

Heimdall

[Wader2]

Would there be a potential for pairs transit? Ie being escorted to its play area by a Tucano of the like?

<<Predator B an increased maximum speed from 135mph to 240mph and although this is useful when in transit to the area of interest, the typical cruise speed remains between 70-80 mph>>

Could be a nice little job for the Predator aircrew when not flying the beast.

[ORAC]

Naah, base them at Akrotiri. Lots of airspace, sun and Kokinelli - and plenty of places they could get lost and take piccies of from there.... :E

[L J R]

hmmmmmmmmm.....

[L J R]

Ratty, with said air vehicle's legs, you would only have to stand the station up every second day, say 1400, which is conveniently after lunch and before 14:30 stand-down