Reaper Replacement to Commence in 2018
FARNBOROUGH INTERNATIONAL AIR SHOW – 11 JULY 2016 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), a leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems solutions, today announced that the UK Ministry of Defence has selected the Certifiable Predator® B (CPB) RPA system, with some specific modifications, to fulfill the country's future armed Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) requirements.
"GA-ASI is proud to offer CPB, the next-generation Predator B, to the Ministry of Defence to satisfy its emerging requirements for a Reaper® replacement certified so that it will be capable, subject to developments in regulatory framework, to operate within unsegregated controlled airspace," said David R. Alexander, president, Aircraft Systems, GA-ASI. "Featuring enhanced safety and reliability systems, CPB will meet European airworthiness certification standards."
The Ministry of Defence's selection of CPB follows the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review and the Prime Minister's announcement of the government's intention to replace Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper.
CPB has been down-selected as the only viable option capable of meeting the UK PROTECTOR programme's key user requirements, including operations in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace.
The UK's CPB procurement will occur through a hybrid Foreign Military Sales/Direct Commercial Sale agreement with the U.S. government.
GA-ASI is undertaking an Independent Research and Development (IRAD) effort to design, develop, and produce CPB, a variant of its Predator B RPA that is fully compliant with NATO's UAV System Airworthiness Requirements (STANAG 4671).
Construction of CPB has begun, with fuselage integration currently underway, followed by wings and tails integration planned for late summer 2016. Flight testing of the CPB airframe is scheduled for late 2016.
An artistic rendering and photos of Certifiable Predator B are available to qualified media outlets from the GA-ASI media contact listed below.
About GA-ASI
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., an affiliate of General Atomics, delivers situational awareness by providing remotely piloted aircraft systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems solutions for military and commercial applications worldwide. The company's Aircraft Systems business unit is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable, RPA systems, including Predator A, Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper, Gray Eagle, the new Predator C Avenger®, and Predator XP. It also manufactures a variety of state-of-the-art digital Ground Control Stations (GCS), including the next-generation Advanced Cockpit GCS, and provides pilot training and support services for RPA field operations. The Mission Systems business unit designs, manufactures, and integrates the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar and sophisticated Claw® sensor control and image analysis software into both manned and remotely piloted aircraft. It also focuses on providing integrated sensor payloads and software for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft platforms and develops high energy lasers, electro-optic sensors, and meta-material antennas. For more information, please visit www.ga-asi.com.
Predator, Reaper, Avenger, Lynx, and Claw are registered trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
For more information contact:
Kimberly Kasitz
Public Relations Manager
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
+1.858.312.2294
kimberly.kasitz@ga-asi.com