null
1-855-215-2914
Free Shipping on orders $75+ (Shipping Details Here)
loginLogin
Cart Cart

Aviation Oil Outlet Aviation Oil Outlet

  • CUSTOMER SERVICE
    • Contact Us
    • Credit App
    • Quote Request
    • Shipping Info
  • ABOUT US
    • Our Products
    • About Us
    • Mission
    • FAQ
  • RESOURCES
    • Videos
    • Articles
    • Email Sign-up
  • login
    Login
  • cart
    Cart
    • Aviation Lubricants By Application
      • All Aviation Lubricants By Application
      • Aviation Piston Engine Oils
        • Straight Grade Mineral Oil for Engine Break-in
        • Straight Grade Ashless Engine Oil for Normal Use
        • Multi-Viscosity Mineral Oil for Engine Break-in
        • Multi-Viscosity Ashless Engine Oil for Normal Use
        • Multi-Viscosity Grade Oil for Light Sport Aircraft
        • Aviation Oil with Lycoming LW 16702 Additives
      • Aviation Turbine Oil
      • Aviation Hydraulic Oil
      • Aerobatic Smoke Oil
      • Aviation Greases
    • Aviation Lubricants By Weight
      • All Aviation Lubricants By Weight
      • Aviation Grade 65, SAE 30
        • Straight 65 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
      • Aviation Grade 80, SAE 40
        • Straight 80 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
        • Straight 80 Grade, Normal Operation Ashless
      • Aviation Grade 100, SAE 50
        • Straight 100 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
        • Straight 100 Grade, Normal Operation Ashless
        • Grade 100 with Lycoming LW 16702 Additives
      • Aviation Grade 120, SAE 60
        • Grade 120 Mineral, Break-in Oil
        • Grade 120 Ashless for Normal Operation
      • Aviation Oil SAE 10w-40
      • Aviation Oil SAE 15w-50
        • Multi-Grade 15w-50 Ashless for Normal Use
      • Aviation Oil SAE 20w-50
        • Multi-Grade 20w-50 Break-In Oil
        • Multi-Grade 20W-50 Ashless for Normal Use
      • Aviation Oil SAE 25w-60
        • Multi-Grade 25w-60 for Engine Break-In
        • Multi-Grade 25w-60 Ashless for Normal Use
    • Lubricant Accessories
    • Shop By Brand
      • AeroShell
      • BlueSky Lubricants
      • Mobil
      • Phillips 66 Aviation
    • About Us
      • Our Products
      • About Us
      • Mission
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Online Sales
      • Online Shopping Security
      • Terms Of Use
    • Resources
      • Videos
      • Articles
      • Email Sign-up
      • Bookmark Our Site
      • Get Our Free Web App
      • Site Map
    • Customer Service
      • Customer Service
      • Return Policy
      • Contact Us
      • Credit App
      • Quote Request
      • Shipping Info
      • FAQ
      • Paypal Resource Page
    • Login Create an Account


    1-855-215-2914
    The Flight Blog - Read Articles The Flight Blog - Read Articles
    Back to Blog Homepage
    Plane of the Week: General Atomics MQ-1 Predator

    Plane of the Week: General Atomics MQ-1 Predator

    By Kayleigh DeMace on Jan 12th 2018

    What makes a plane a plane is the fact that it can fly. It needs to be piloted by someone, but that someone can be piloting the plane remotely. That's the case with this week's Plane of the Week: the MQ-1 Predator.

    Design and Development


    The MQ-1 Predator was designed in the 1990s with its first flight taking place in July of 1994. Primarily used by the US Air Force and CIA, it's equipped with a camera and other sensors and is used for both aerial reconnaissance missions and intelligence collection.

    In the early '80s, the CIA and Pentagon began testing UAVs for missions, and they soon wanted to create something that was quieter during flight. General Atomics was awarded a contract for Predator development in January of 1994, and the aircraft were deployed the following year.



    These aircraft feature weaponry as well, making them unique in their ability to perform multiple tasks. A rated pilot controls the aircraft alongside a crew member who monitors and operates the sensors and weapons, plus a mission coordinator if required.

    Initially, they were called the "RQ-1 Predator." The "R" designates it as a reconnaissance aircraft with the Department of Defense while the "Q" designates it as a remotely piloted aircraft. The "1" means it is the first in a series of remotely piloted aircraft systems. In 2002, the name changed to "MQ-1" because of the addition of Hellfire missiles. Other updates to this aircraft include an APX-100 IFF/SIF with Mode 4, ARC-210 radio, braided steel hoses, improved engine blocks, notched tails, split engine cowlings, and upgraded turbocharged engine.

    Features and Performance

    A full system includes an infrared sensor, color or monochrome daylight TV camera, image-intensified TV camera, laser designator, and laser illuminator. Two laser-guided missiles and air-to-ground missile-114 Hellfire can be deployed from a Predator. 

    They have an antenna that sends line-of-sight communications for both takeoff and landing. As long as there is a clear line-of-sight to the ground data terminal antenna, a Predator is able to operate on a 5,000 by 75-foot, hard-surface runway.

    These remotely-piloted aircraft can be deployed or disassembled for travel. They are capable of performing 24-hour missions with loitering capabilities of over 14 hours. Featuring a Rotax engine, they are driven by a propeller and can perform multiple missions and tasks including close air support, combat search and rescue, precision strike, reconnaissance, route clearance, surveillance, and more.

    Predators served in the U.S. Afghan campaign in 2001 with the Air Force operating 60 of them, losing 20 in action.

    Today, the Predator continues to serve in armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions overseas with the U.S. Air Force.


    Sources:


    http://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104469/mq-1b-predator/
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Atomics_MQ-1_Predator

    • #Plane Of The Week
    • #Air Force UAV
    • #General Atomics
    • #General Atomics MQ-1 Predator
    • #MQ-1
    • #MQ-1 Predator
    • #Predator
    • #UAV
    • #Kayleigh DeMace

    You might also be interested in:


    Newsletter | January 2023
    by Aviation Oil Outlet on Jan 12th 2023

    Do You Use Our FREE Web App? Now you can save our website as an app on your
    monthly newsletter
    Newsletter | November 2022
    by Aviation Oil Outlet on Nov 22nd 2022

    Other Smoke Oils Pail in Comparison to Bluesky Bluesky White Lightning Smok
    monthly newsletter
    Newsletter | October 2022
    by Aviation Oil Outlet on Oct 28th 2022

    Shop One of Our Most Popular Products - In Stock While Supplies Last One of
    monthly newsletter
    !

    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Get the latest updates on new products and upcoming sales

    aoo logo
    Aviation Oil Outlet
    454 South Main Street
    Wilkes Barre, PA 18703
    United States of America

    1-855-215-2914

    E-mail:
    sales@aviationoiloutlet.com

    Follow us on Social:

    Customer Service

    • Contact
    • Credit Application
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Quote Request
    • Returns
    • Shipping Information
    • Sitemap

    Resources

    • About Us
    • Accessibility
    • Brands
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Online Shopping Security
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions of Online Sales
    • Terms of Use
    • Video Library

    Account

    • Account
    • Cart
    • Checkout
    • Order History

    © 2023 Aviation Oil Outlet

    payment method icons Bizrate
    ​