Editing General Atomics MQ-1 Predator (section)

==Development==
[[File:MQ-1 Predator P1230014.jpg|thumb|At [[Paris Air Show]] 2007]]
[[File:RQ-1 Predator.jpg|thumb|A Predator flies on a simulated Navy aerial reconnaissance flight off the coast of southern California on 5 December 1995.]]

The [[Central Intelligence Agency]] (CIA) and [[the Pentagon]] began experimenting with unmanned [[reconnaissance aircraft]] (drones) in the early 1980s. The CIA preferred small, lightweight, unobtrusive drones, in contrast to the [[United States Air Force]] (USAF). In the early 1990s, the CIA became interested in the "[[LSI Amber|Amber]]", a drone developed by Leading Systems, Inc.<ref name="spyflight.co.uk" /> The company's owner, [[Abraham Karem]], was the former chief designer for the [[Israeli Air Force]], and had immigrated to the U.S. in the late 1970s. Karem's company went bankrupt and was bought by a U.S. defense contractor, from whom the CIA secretly bought five drones (now called the "[[General Atomics Gnat|Gnat]]"). Karem agreed to produce a quiet engine for the vehicle, which had until then sounded like "a lawnmower in the sky". The new development became known as the "Predator".<ref name="penguin" /><ref name="indispensable" />

[[General Atomics Aeronautical Systems]] (GA) was awarded a contract to develop the Predator in January 1994, and the initial Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) phase lasted from January 1994 to June 1996. First flight took place on 3 July 1994 at the [[El Mirage Field|El Mirage airfield]] in the [[Mojave Desert]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Whittle|first1=Richard|title=Predator : The Secret Origins of the Drone Revolution|date=2014|publisher=Henry Holt and Co|location=New York|isbn=978-0-8050-9964-5|pages=85, 86|edition=First}}</ref> The aircraft itself was a derivative of the [[General Atomics Gnat|GA Gnat 750]]. During the ACTD phase, three systems were purchased from GA, comprising twelve aircraft and three ground control stations.<ref name="FOS" />

From April through May 1995, the Predator ACTD aircraft were flown as a part of the Roving Sands 1995 exercises in the U.S. The exercise operations were successful which led to the decision to deploy the system to the Balkans later in the summer of 1995.<ref name="FOS" />

During the ACTD, Predators were operated by a combined Army/Navy/Air Force/Marine team managed by the Navy's Joint Program Office for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (JPO-UAV) and first deployed to [[Gjader|Gjader, Albania]], for operations in the former [[Yugoslavia]] in spring 1995.<ref name="FOS" />

By the start of the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|United States Afghan campaign in 2001]], the USAF had acquired 60 Predators, but lost 20 of them in action.<ref>{{Cite web |title=- U.S. LESSONS LEARNED IN AFGHANISTAN |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-116hhrg38915/html/CHRG-116hhrg38915.htm |access-date=2022-08-11 |website=www.govinfo.gov}}</ref> Few if any of the losses were from enemy action, the worst problem apparently being foul weather, particularly icy conditions. Some critics within the Pentagon saw the high loss rate as a sign of poor operational procedures. In response to the losses caused by cold weather conditions, a few of the later USAF Predators were fitted with [[de-icing]] systems, along with an uprated turbocharged engine and improved avionics. This improved "Block 1" version was referred to as the "RQ-1B", or the "MQ-1B" if it carried munitions; the corresponding [[1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system|air vehicle designation]] was "RQ-1L" or "MQ-1L".

The Predator system was initially designated the '''RQ-1 Predator'''. The "R" is the [[United States Department of Defense]] designation for reconnaissance and the "Q" refers to an unmanned aircraft system.<ref name="A Short Primer on Military Aircraft Designations" /> The "1" describes it as being the first of a series of aircraft systems built for unmanned reconnaissance. Pre-production systems were designated as RQ-1A, while the RQ-1B (not to be confused with the Predator B, which became the [[MQ-9 Reaper]]) denotes the baseline production configuration. These are designations of the ''system'' as a unit. The actual aircraft themselves were designated RQ-1K for pre-production models, and RQ-1L for production models.<ref name="vector" /> In 2002, the USAF officially changed the designation to MQ-1 ("M" for multi-role) to reflect its growing use as an armed aircraft.<ref name="FS1" />

===Command and sensor systems===
During campaign in the former [[Yugoslavia]], a Predator's pilot would sit with several payload specialists in a van near the runway of the drone's operating base. Direct radio signals controlled the drone's takeoff and initial ascent, and then communications shifted to military satellite networks linked to the pilot's van. Pilots experienced a delay of several seconds between moving their [[Joystick|sticks]] and the drone's response. But by 2000, improvements in communications systems made it possible, at least in theory, to fly the drone remotely from great distances. It was no longer necessary to use close-up radio signals during the Predator's takeoff and ascent. The entire flight could be controlled by satellite from any [[command and control]] center with the right equipment. The CIA proposed to attempt over Afghanistan the first fully remote Predator flight operations, piloted from the agency's headquarters at [[Langley, Virginia|Langley]].<ref name="penguin1" />

The Predator air vehicle and sensors are controlled from the ground control station (GCS) via a [[C band (IEEE)|C-band]] [[Line-of-sight propagation|line-of-sight]] data link or a [[Ku band|K<sub>u</sub>-band]] satellite data link for beyond-line-of-sight operations. During flight operations the crew in the GCS is a pilot and two sensor operators. The aircraft is equipped with the AN/AAS-52 [[Multispectral imaging|Multi-spectral]] Targeting System, a color nose camera (generally used by the pilot for flight control), a variable aperture day-TV camera, and a variable aperture [[thermographic camera]] (for low light/night). Previously, Predators were equipped with a [[synthetic aperture radar]] for looking through smoke, clouds or haze, but lack of use validated its removal to reduce weight and conserve fuel. The cameras produce full motion video and the synthetic aperture radar produced still frame [[radar imaging|radar images]]. There is sufficient bandwidth on the datalink for two video sources to be used together, but only one video source from the sensor ball can be used due to design limitations. Either the daylight variable aperture or the infrared electro-optical sensor may be operated simultaneously with the synthetic aperture radar, if equipped.{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}}

All later Predators are equipped with a [[laser designator]] that allows the pilot to identify targets for other aircraft and even provide the [[laser guidance]] for manned aircraft. This laser is also the designator for the [[AGM-114 Hellfire]] that are carried on the MQ-1.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |date= |title=MQ-1B Predator > Air Force > Fact Sheet Display |url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104469/mq-1b-predator/ |accessdate=8 March 2022 |publisher=U.S. Air Force (af.mil)}}</ref>

===Deployment methodology===
[[File:MQ-1 Predator controls 2007-08-07.jpg|thumb|Predator operators at Balad Camp Anaconda, Iraq, August 2007]]

Each Predator air vehicle can be disassembled into six modules and loaded into a container. This enables all system components and support equipment to be rapidly deployed worldwide. The largest component is the ground control station (GCS) which is designed to roll into a [[C-130 Hercules]]. The Predator primary satellite link consists of a 6.1-meter (20-ft) satellite dish with associated support equipment. The satellite link provides communications between the GCS and the aircraft when it is beyond line-of-sight and links to networks that disseminate secondary intelligence. The RQ-1A system can operate on a 5,000 by 75 foot (1,524 meters by 23 meters) of hard surface runway with clear line-of-sight to each end from the GCS to the air vehicles. Initially, all components needed to be located on the same airfield.<ref name=":1" />

The U.S. Air Force used a concept called "Remote-Split Operations" where the satellite datalink is placed in a different location and is connected to the GCS through fiber optic cabling. This allows Predators to be launched and recovered by a small "Launch and Recovery Element" and then handed off to a "Mission Control Element" for the rest of the flight. This allows a smaller number of troops to be deployed to a forward location, and consolidates control of the different flights in one location.<ref name=":1" />

The improvements in the MQ-1B production version include an ARC-210 radio, an APX-100 IFF/SIF with mode 4, a glycol-weeping "wet wings" de-icing system, upgraded turbo-charged engine, fuel injection, longer wings, dual alternators as well as other improvements.<ref name=":1" />

On 18 May 2006, the [[Federal Aviation Administration]] (FAA) issued a certificate of authorization which will allow the M/RQ-1 and [[General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper|M/RQ-9]] aircraft to be used within U.S. civilian airspace to search for survivors of disasters. Requests had been made in 2005 for the aircraft to be used in [[search and rescue]] operations following [[Hurricane Katrina]], but because there was no FAA authorization in place at the time, the assets were not used. The Predator's [[infrared camera]] with digitally enhanced zoom has the capability of identifying the [[infrared signature]] of a human body from an altitude of 3&nbsp;km (10,000&nbsp;ft), making the aircraft an ideal search and rescue tool.<ref name="www2006" />

The longest declassified Predator flight {{asof|2011|lc=yes}} lasted for 40&nbsp;hours and 5&nbsp;minutes.{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}} The total flight time reached 1 million hours in April 2010, according to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.<ref name="Predator-series UAVs surpass one million flight hours" />

===Armed versions===
[[File:AGM-114 Hellfire hung on a Predator drone.JPEG|thumb|Close-up of the [[AGM-114 Hellfire|Hellfire]] missile [[Weapons pylon|pylon]], 2004.]]

The USAF [[Big Safari|BIG SAFARI program office]] managed the Predator program and was directed on 21 June 2000 to explore armament options. This led to reinforced wings with munitions storage [[Weapons pylon|pylons]], as well as a [[laser designator]]. The RQ-1 conducted its first firing of a [[AGM-114 Hellfire|Hellfire]] [[anti-tank missile]] on 16 February 2001 over a bombing range near [[Creech Air Force Base|Indian Springs Air Force Station]] north of [[Las Vegas, Nevada]], with an inert AGM-114C successfully striking a tank target. Then on 21 February 2001 the Predator fired three Hellfire missiles, scoring hits on a stationary tank with all three missiles. Following the February tests, phase two involved more complex tests to hunt for simulated moving targets from greater altitudes with the more advanced AGM-114K version. The armed Predators were put into service with the designation MQ-1A. The Predator gives little warning of attack because it is relatively quiet and the Hellfire is supersonic, so it strikes before it is heard by the target.<ref name="vector" /><ref name="Predator missile launch test totally successful" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/the-q-1-predator-became-a-history-changing-deadly-missi-1760408544 | title = The Q-1 Predator Became A History-Changing Deadly Missile Slinger 15 Years Ago Today | work = Foxtrotalpha | publisher = Jalopnik | date = 21 February 2016 }}</ref>

In the winter of 2000–2001, after seeing the results of Predator reconnaissance in Afghanistan, [[Cofer Black]], head of the CIA's [[Counterterrorist Center]] (CTC), became a vocal advocate of arming the Predator with missiles to target [[Osama bin Laden]] in country. He believed that CIA pressure and practical interest were causing the USAF's armed Predator program to be significantly accelerated. Black, and "Richard", who was in charge of the CTC's [[Bin Laden Issue Station]], continued to press during 2001 for a Predator armed with Hellfire missiles.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}}

Further weapons tests occurred between 22 May and 7 June 2001, with mixed results. While missile accuracy was excellent, there were some problems with missile fuzing. In the first week of June, in the Nevada desert, a Hellfire missile was successfully launched on a replica of bin Laden's Afghanistan [[Tarnak Farms|Tarnak]] residence. A missile launched from a Predator exploded inside one of the replica's rooms; it was concluded that any people in the room would have been killed. However, the armed Predator was not deployed before the [[September 11 attacks]]. 
<ref name="penguin2" />
<ref name="The CIA and the Predator Drone (2000–1)" />
<ref name="9-11commission15" />
<ref name="washingtonpost2002" />

The USAF also investigated using the Predator to drop battlefield ground sensors and to carry and deploy the [[Miniature UAVs#NRL "Dragon Eye", "Swallow" and "Finder"|"Finder"]] [[Miniature UAV|mini-UAV]].<ref name="vector" />

===Other versions and fate===
Two unarmed versions, known as the [[General Atomics ALTUS]] were built, ALTUS I for the [[Naval Postgraduate School]] and ALTUS II for the [[NASA]] [[ERAST Project]] in 1997 and 1996, respectively.<ref name="NASA Dryden Fact Sheet – ALTUS II" />

Based on the MQ-1 Predator, the [[General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle]] was developed for the U.S. Army.

The USAF ordered a total of 259 Predators, and due to retirements and crashes the number in Air Force operation was reduced to 154 as of May 2014.  Budget proposals planned to retire the Predator fleet between FY 2015 and 2017 in favor of the larger [[MQ-9 Reaper]], which has greater payload and range.  The Predators were to be stored at [[Davis-Monthan Air Force Base]] or given to other agencies willing to take them.  The [[U.S. Customs and Border Protection]]  showed interest, but already had higher-performance Reapers and were burdened with operating costs.  The [[U.S. Coast Guard]] also showed interest in land-based UAV surveillance.  Foreign sales were also an option, but the MQ-1 is subject to limitations of the [[Missile Technology Control Regime]] because it can be armed; export markets are also limited by the existence of the Reaper.<ref>[https://archive.today/20140517154223/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140513/DEFREG/305120020/Ready-for-Retirement-Can-Predator-Find-New-Home Ready for Retirement, Can Predator Find New Home?] – Defensenews.com, 13 May 2014</ref> Given the Predator's pending phase-out and its size, weight, and power limitations, the Air Force decided not to pursue upgrades to make it more effective in contested environments, and determined its only use in defended airspace would be as a decoy to draw fire away from other aircraft.<ref>[http://www.militarytimes.com/story/defense/air-space/isr/2015/08/04/smarter-deadlier-drone-upgrades-uav-predator-reaper-global-hawk/31125619/ Smarter, Deadlier UAV: USAF Looks at Upgrades] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904034214/http://www.militarytimes.com/story/defense/air-space/isr/2015/08/04/smarter-deadlier-drone-upgrades-uav-predator-reaper-global-hawk/31125619/ |date=4 September 2015 }} - ''[[Sightline Media Group|Military Times]]'', 5 August 2015</ref> Due to airborne surveillance needs after the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]] (ISIL) [[Northern Iraq offensive (June 2014)|invaded Iraq]], the Predator's retirement was delayed to 2018.  MQ-1s will probably be placed in non-recoverable storage at the Boneyard and not sold to allies, although antenna, ground control stations, and other components may be salvaged for continued use on other airframes.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/usaf-plans-to-end-mq-1-predator-operations-in-2018-415742/ USAF plans to end MQ-1 Predator operations in 2018] – Flightglobal.com, 14 August 2015</ref>

General Atomics completed the final RQ-1 ordered by Italy by October 2015, marking the end of Predator A production after two decades.  The last Predator for the USAF was completed in 2011; later Predator aircraft were built on the Predator XP assembly line.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/italian-delivery-marks-end-of-general-atomics-rq-1-p-420338/ Italian delivery marks end of General Atomics RQ-1 production] – Flightglobal.com, 23 December 2015.</ref>

The [[United States Air Force]] announced plans to retire the MQ-1 on 9 March 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/02/16/air-force-announces-official-retirement-date-for-iconic-mq-1-predator/|title=Air Force announces official retirement date for iconic MQ-1 Predator drone|last=Losey|first=Stephen|date=20 February 2018|work=[[Air Force Times]]}}</ref> The Predator was officially retired from USAF service in March 2018.<ref name="ain13march18" />