США MQ-9 Reaper / Predator B

[Дмитрий Шаповалов (Velocity)]

MQ-9 Reaper / Predator B
MULTI-ROLE PREDATOR--MQ-1/MQ-9

The MQ-9 Reaper is a medium-to-high altitude, long endurance remotely piloted aircraft system. The MQ-9's primary mission is as a persistent hunter-killer against emerging targets in support of joint force commander objectives. The MQ-9's secondary mission is to act as an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance asset, employing sensors to provide real-time data to commanders and intelligence specialists at all levels.

Features
The MQ-9 Reaper is the Air Force's first hunter-killer UAV. It is larger and more powerful than the MQ-1 Predator. Predator MQ-9 will deliver significantly expanded capabilities, flying twice as high, twice as fast, and carrying four times the weapons. Those include the GBU-12, EGBU-12, and GBU-38 500 lb. joint direct attack munition. The MQ-9 is designed to haul over 3,000 pounds of external ordnance to include the GBU-12, GBU-38, AIM-9 missiles and small diameter bombs. The MQ-9 will provide a hunter-killer capability and will feature the ability to use synthetic aperture radar to hunt for targets. It will be able to cross-cue targeting data to the electro-optic/infrared sensor.

The Reaper is designed to go after time-sensitive targets with persistence and precision, and destroy or disable those targets with 500-pound bombs and Hellfire missiles. The Reaper represents a significant evolution in UAV technology and employment. The Air Force moved from using UAVs primarily in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance roles before Operation Iraqi Freedom, to a true hunter-killer role with the Reaper.

The key advantage is not so much keeping manned aircraft and pilots out of harm's way, but the persistence UAVs can inherently provide. The Reaper can stay airborne for up to 14 hours fully loaded. A 900-horsepower turbo-prop engine, compared to the 119-horsepower Predator engine, powers the aircraft. It has a 64-foot wingspan and carries more than 15 times the ordnance of the Predator, flying almost three times the Predator's cruise speed.

The typical system consists of several air vehicles, a ground control station, communication equipment/links, spares and personnel who can be a mix of active duty and contractor personnel. The crew for the MQ-9 is a pilot and a sensor operator, who operate the aircraft from a remotely located GCS. To meet combatant commanders' requirements, the MQ-9 delivers tailored capabilities using mission kits that may contain various weapons and sensor payload combinations.

The MQ-9 baseline system has a robust sensor suite for targeting. Imagery is provided by an infrared sensor, a color/monochrome daylight TV and an image-intensified TV. The video from each of the imaging sensors can be viewed as separate video streams or fused with the IR sensor video. The laser rangefinder/designator provides the capability to precisely designate targets for laser-guided munitions. Synthetic aperture radar will enable Joint Direct Attack Munitions targeting. The aircraft is also equipped with a color nose camera, generally used by the pilot for flight control.

Each MQ-9 aircraft can be disassembled into main components and loaded into a container for air deployment worldwide in Air Force airlift assets such as the C-130. The MQ-9 air vehicle operates from standard U.S. airfields. The MQ-9 is based at Creech Air Force Base, Nev.

 

[Дмитрий Шаповалов (Velocity)]

Background

The U.S. Air Force proposed the MQ-9 system in response to the Department of Defense request for Global War on Terrorism initiatives. It is larger and more powerful than the MQ-1 Predator and is designed to go after time-sensitive targets with persistence and precision, and destroy or disable those targets. The "M" is the Department of Defense designation for multi-role and "Q" means unmanned aircraft system. The "9" refers to the series of purpose-built remotely piloted aircraft systems.

In June 2003, the Air Combat Command Commander approved the MQ-9 Concept of Operations.

On 14 September 2006 the Air Force chief of staff announced "Reaper" had been chosen as the name for the MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle. The Air Force is the Department of Defense's executive agent for designating and naming military aerospace vehicles. In the case of the Reaper, Gen. T. Michael Moseley made the final decision after an extensive nomination and review process, coordinated with the other services. "The name Reaper is one of the suggestions that came from our Airmen in the field. It's fitting as it captures the lethal nature of this new weapon system," General Moseley said.

On 30 October 2006 CIA-guided Predator drone fired missiles at houses in the village of Damadola in the Bajaur tribal area, about 7km (4.5 miles) from the Afghan border, aiming to kill the deputy leader of al-Qaeda Ayman al Zawahiri. But was not in a Pakistani village near the Afghan border which was hit in an apparent missile attack in which aa many as 18 people were killed.

By this time, the Los Angeles Times href reported that " ...at least 19 occasions since Sept. 11 on which Predators successfully fired Hellfire missiles on terrorist suspects overseas, including 10 in Iraq in one month last year. The Predator strikes have killed at least four senior Al Qaeda leaders, but also many civilians ..."

By March 2007 the MQ-9 Reaper had logged over 6,500 flight hours to date, and the team was continuing to successfully address the program's development, demonstration and production aspects while simultaneously advancing Reaper interim combat capability and early fielding.

The first MQ-9 Reaper touched down at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., 13 March 2007. Its arrival, which occurred nearly one year earlier than projected, signaled another effort by Aeronautical Systems Center to meet the warfighter's needs.

The basic MQ-9 Reaper system consists of the aircraft, a control station, communications equipment, support equipment, simulator and training devices, Readiness Spares Packages (RSP), technical data/training, and personnel required to operate, maintain, and sustain the system. The system is designed to be modular and open-ended: mission-specific equipment is employed in a 'plug-and-play' mission kit concept allowing specific aircraft and control station configurations to be tailored to fit mission needs.

The MQ-9 Reaper aircraft is a single-engine, turbo-prop remotely piloted aircraft designed to operate over-the-horizon at medium-to-high altitude for long endurance sorties. The aircraft is being designed primarily to prosecute critical emerging Time Sensitive Targets (TSTs) as a radar-based attack asset with on-board hard-kill capability (hunter-killer) and also perform Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Target Acquisition (ISR TA) as a secondary role. In the hunter-killer role, the aircraft will employ fused multi-spectral sensors to automatically find, fix, and track ground targets (Automatic Target Cueing (ATC), Target Location Accuracy (TLA), Metric Sensor and other capabilities) and assess post-strike results. The MQ-9 will also explore and if appropriate develop and integrate Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Sensors capabilities.

Capabilities in development include increasing the aircraft's gross take-off weight; enhancing aircraft systems to include integrated redundant avionics, ice detection capability, navigation system upgrades, electrical system upgrades, sensor/stores management computer, MIL-STD-1760 advanced weapons data bus, advanced sensor and weapons payloads, and improved human-machine interface; integrating standard "precision" weapons (GBU-12/38/49); hardware and software upgrades to the ground control station for MQ-9 operations; completing airworthiness certification; weapons system certification and accreditation; and producing applicable training devices that emulate aircraft capabilities. Subsequent investments will continue to evolve the MQ-9's capabilities to meet new requirements (which may include SIGINT, communications, and other sensor packages), and address reliability and maintainability and safety issues.

The Ground Control Station (GCS) functions as the aircraft cockpit and can control the aircraft either within line-of-sight (LOS) or beyond LOS (BLOS) via a combination of satellite relay and terrestrial communications. The GCS is either mobile to support forward operating locations or fixed at a facility to support Remote Split Operations (RSO). The GCS has the capability to perform mission planning; provide a means for manual and/or autonomous control, and a GCS configuration to allow control of multiple aircraft and payloads; allow personnel to launch, recover, and monitor aircraft, payloads, and system communications status; secure data links to receive payload sensor data and command links; monitor threats to the aircraft; display common operation picture; and provide support functions. Additionally, a Launch and Recovery GCS (LRGCS) allows for servicing, systems checks, maintaining, launching, and recovering aircraft under LOS control for hand-off to a mobile or fixed facility GCS. The GCS will continue to evolve and upgrade its capabilities to keep pace with MQ-9 aircraft capabilities and the missions they perform.

The MQ-9 is in continuing development and will field capability through incremental upgrades. The baseline development includes both a risk reduction phase, FY04 & FY05 Quick Reaction/ Interim Combat Capabilities (ICC), and a System Development & Demonstration (SDD) phase. Risk reduction started in FY03 and includes system design, drawings, specifications, and initial standardized (MIL-STD-1760) advanced weapons data bus efforts.

On Nov 24, 2003 the Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC), Reconnaissance System Program Office (ASC/RAK) announced plans to award a contract [F33657-02-G-4035 0023] on a sole source basis to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., to provide System Development and Demonstration for the MQ-9A aircraft. This notice of intent was not a request for competitive proposals. General Atomics ASI is the sole designer, developer, and manufacturer of the Predator system, and is the only firm that possesses the necessary knowledge, experience and technical data required to perform these efforts.

On Nov 19 2004 the Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC), Reconnaissance System Program Office (ASC/RAK) announced intent to award a contract [F33657-02-G-4035 0039] on a sole source basis to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., to provide four MQ-9 aircraft, with an option for one additional aircraft. General Atomics ASI is the sole designer, developer, and manufacturer of the Predator system, and is the only firm that possesses the necessary knowledge, experience and technical data required to perform these efforts. The government does not own the data rights for the system; therefore, to avoid duplication costs, the government intends to award the effort pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) (1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1. The proposed contract action, F33657-02-G-4035 0039, has a period of performance of 15 months.

The SDD effort began in FY05 and includes developing and testing the MQ-9's baseline capability and preliminary technical orders.

On Apr 11 2005 the Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC), Reconnaissance Systems Wing (RSW) announced intent to exercise an existing contract option [F33657-02-G-4035 002803] on a sole source basis to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., to provide one MQ-9A aircraft. This option will be exercised on behalf of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

On Jan 13, 2006 Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC), Predator System Program Office (PSS) announced that it intends to award a Predator B, MQ-9 Full Rate Productionc ontract [FA8620-05-G-3028 0007] on a sole source basis to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. for Fiscal Year (FY) 06 and FY 07 MQ-9 Production requirements. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. The FY 06/FY 07 MQ-9 Production effort will include a quantity of two (2) MQ-9 aircraft with options for up to twenty-two (22)additional aircraft. This effort also includes aircraft and propeller shipping containers, production engineering, support equipment, spares, and a 30 day pack up kit.

As of September 2006 the Air Force had seven MQ-9 Reapers in its inventory, with a full-rate production decision expected in 2009.

On Jan 25, 2006 it was announced that the U.S. Air Force, Air Combat Command intended to solicit sole source [FA4890-06-R-0005] with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., 16761 Via Del Campo Court, San Diego, CA 92127-1713 to provide MQ-9 Predator operation and maintenance services. The contractor shall provide all personnel, supervision, and services necessary to perform Predator organizational maintenance for: aircraft, ground control stations, ground data terminals, and Predator primary satellite links. The contractor shall also be responsible for launch and recovery elements including contract aircrew at forward deployed locations. The contractor will be responsible for program and maintenance management and support functions following the basic requirements of AFI 21-101, including maintaining aircraft/equipment in accordance with approved AF technical data, maintaining qualifications/certifications for weapons loading, parts/supplies ordering and accountability, and developing flying and maintenance schedules. The contractor shall provide munitions management in accordance with AFI 21-201. The mission of the Predator is to be a multi-role unmanned aerial system capable of reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, killer scout, forward air controller, and combat search and rescue support missions. The principle place of performance is Creech Air Force Base, Nevada as well as at deployed worldwide locations.

 

[Дмитрий Шаповалов (Velocity)]

- Primary Function: Unmanned hunter/killer weapon system
- Contractor: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
- Power Plant: Allied Signal TPE331-10GD turboprop engine, producing 900 shaft horsepower
- Length: 36 feet (11 meters)
- Height: 12.5 feet (3.8 meters)
- Weight: 3,700 pounds (1,676 kilograms) empty
- Maximum takeoff weight: 10,500 pounds (4,760 kilograms)
- Wingspan: 66 feet (20.1 meters)
- Combat Radius: 1,655 nautical miles (1,878 miles)
- Ceiling: up to 50,000 feet (15,240 meters)
- Fuel Capacity: 4,000 pounds (602 gallons)
- Payload: 3,750 pounds (1,701 kilograms)
- Armament: Combination of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, GBU-12 and GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions.
- Crew (remote): Two (pilot and sensor operator)
- System Cost: $69.1 million (includes four aircraft with sensors) (fiscal 2006 dollars)

On 09 March 2007 it was announced that the Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC), Aeronautical Systems Group (658 AESG) intended to award a Predator MQ-1 and Reaper MQ-9 ASIP Integration contract [FA8620-05-G-3028 0028] on a sole source basis to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. for the analysis, system requirements definition, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and preliminary integration design to integrate the Airborne Signal Intelligence Payload (ASIP) program sensor on MQ-1 and MQ-9 aircraft. In addition, this effort will identify and assess risks as well as identify and assess the impacts to the current MQ-1 and MQ-9 programs. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. General Atomics ASI is the sole designer, developer, and manufacturer of the Predator and Reaper systems and is the only firm that possesses the necessary knowledge, experience and technical data required to perform these efforts.

The Aeronautical Systems Center, 659 Aeronautical Systems Squadron intends to award a Airborne Signals Intelligence Payload (ASIP) 1C/2C contract [FA8620-07-C-4020 ] on a sole source basis to Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp. for the rapid development, integration and testing of a fieldable, scaled, communication intelligence system based on the ASIP architecture for the MQ-1, MQ-1X, MQ-9 and RQ-4B (Block 30 I) Unmanned Aerial Systems. The sensor portion of the system will collect and process selected signals that are classified up to and including Top Secret/SCI. Specific requirements are listed in Section 3 of the ASIP 1C/2C Systems Requirement Document that is classified Secret/SI (available for review at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio).

The Air Force Distributed Common Ground System will command and control the ASIP 1C/2C sensors using interface standards established on the baseline ASIP program. Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp. is the sole designer, developer, and manufacturer of the ASIP family of sensors and is the only firm that possesses the necessary knowledge, experience and technical data required to build these sensors in a timely and cost effective manner. The anticipated design is a scaled version of the existing ASIP sensor and requires minimal dollars and time to develop. Planned spiral upgrade and logistical support funding is insufficient to upgrade/maintain unique solutions for these platforms and the existing ASIP systems so a single architecture is required. Developing a unique solution for these platforms would result in duplication of efforts.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/mq-9.htm

 

[Berkut driver]

Repair я так его назвал
Reaper как его назвали наши ВВС
кто незнает разницы...посмотрите ;D...
вот он без зубов


Хочу заметиь что ОН разбирается и пакуется быстро и легко!

 

[Berkut driver]

.  интересный BEAST...аааа?

 

[Дмитрий Шаповалов (Velocity)]

интересный BEAST...аааа?

Похоже, что это жеребец. Внизу радар?

 

[Berkut driver]

интересный BEAST...аааа?

Похоже, что это жеребец. Внизу[highlight] радар[/highlight]?

........................убрал...........................................
сам то НИЧЕГО о нём незнаю :
а расшлёпался я губами тут
Рыпэр=(ударение на "Ы")!!


Смерть с косой в руке, у нас называется "РЫпэр"
Рыпэр=вырываемый=сдираемый............. жизнь