Predator C Avenger Makes First Flights

[Rubicks13]

Hi all, the moment is finally here after almost 4 years. AviationWeek.com has exclusive photos and and article:

Link to Article Page (http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/AVENGER041709.xml&headline=Predator%20C%20Avenger%20Makes%20First%20Flights&channel=defense)

Link to Exclusive Photos of the Predator C. (http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&newspaperUserId=27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3ab1635a8b-9465-4a2b-8e1f-d643524d68b0&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest)

CUBE

[Lima Juliet]

I note these 2 quotes that BAeS could learn from:

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems chief of UAVs, retired admiral Tom Cassidy, has created an empire by building on his own dime what the Pentagon needs and not what it asks for

Tom Cassidy, president, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems’ Aircraft Systems Group. Cassidy has earned a unique reputation by using company funds to develop what he believes the military needs rather than chasing Pentagon requirements that shift with disheartening regularity to produce cost increases and production delays.

Tom Cassidy is a retired USN Admiral and I say "well done, Sir".:D

I guess that GA are going to maintain their lead in UAV/UASs over the lagging companies of EADS and BAeS - despite their best efforts (Neuron, Mantis and Herti)!

http://sitelife.aviationweek.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/13/2/0dbe01e0-9254-4685-929e-3e792dfa2d61.Large.jpg

[Lima Juliet]

A better picture here...

http://sitelife.aviationweek.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/9/7/69f21636-ee3e-4524-a72c-e3833cc84f4f.Large.jpg

It's also navalised - a future for HMS Queen Elizabeth???

[fltlt]

Quote:
Tom Cassidy, president, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems’ Aircraft Systems Group. Cassidy has earned a unique reputation by using company funds to develop what he believes the military needs rather than chasing Pentagon requirements that shift with disheartening regularity to produce cost increases and production delays.

And that, in a nutshell, is the basic problem with the current procurement system.