Photo: General Atomics
Back in 2009, one of the most important combat drone makers in the world, General Atomics, flew something it called Predator C. By 2016, the machine was equipped for greater range and was renamed Avenger ER and now, as we’ve firmly stepped into 2021, a new milestone for what is supposed to be a revolutionary drone was reached.
General Atomics (GA-ASI) said last week a second Avenger ER, after the one in 2016, received the FAA Experimental Certificate, which allows it to fly in the U.S. national airspace. The company plans to use this certificate to start flight testing the machine as it moves to get it ready for different ongoing projects and contracts.
“Since 2005, GA-ASI has worked closely with the FAA to affirm the special airworthiness certification of RPAs, promoting their integration into the National Airspace System,” said in a statement General Atomics’ Senior Director of Quick Action Programs, Pete Latta.
“This EC will also help GA-ASI employ the latest configuration of the Avenger ER for customer payload testing and company investments in advanced UAS control technologies.”
The Avenger is technically a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), like most other General Atomics Predator-series drones. It is built with a 44-foot (13 meters) long fuselage, and has a 76-foot (23 meters) wingspan.
The drone is powered by a commercial Pratt & Whitney turbofan engine good for 5,000 pounds of thrust. It can take off from runways shorter than 5,000 feet (1.5 km), and can stay in the air for up to 20 hours.
The Avenger can spy on or bomb its enemies from altitudes of over 50,000 feet (15 km). It is capable of supporting a wide range of sensors, but also 3,000 pounds (1.3 tons) of precision munitions.
According to General Atomics, the Avenger ER can be controlled from the same stations used to fly the Predators, but it is better suited to survive “in higher threat environments.”
“Since 2005, GA-ASI has worked closely with the FAA to affirm the special airworthiness certification of RPAs, promoting their integration into the National Airspace System,” said in a statement General Atomics’ Senior Director of Quick Action Programs, Pete Latta.
“This EC will also help GA-ASI employ the latest configuration of the Avenger ER for customer payload testing and company investments in advanced UAS control technologies.”
The Avenger is technically a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), like most other General Atomics Predator-series drones. It is built with a 44-foot (13 meters) long fuselage, and has a 76-foot (23 meters) wingspan.
The drone is powered by a commercial Pratt & Whitney turbofan engine good for 5,000 pounds of thrust. It can take off from runways shorter than 5,000 feet (1.5 km), and can stay in the air for up to 20 hours.
The Avenger can spy on or bomb its enemies from altitudes of over 50,000 feet (15 km). It is capable of supporting a wide range of sensors, but also 3,000 pounds (1.3 tons) of precision munitions.
According to General Atomics, the Avenger ER can be controlled from the same stations used to fly the Predators, but it is better suited to survive “in higher threat environments.”
Google News