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An essential element of the U.S. Army's Aviation Modernization Plan, GA-ASI's Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) is an innovative and technologically advanced derivative of the combat-proven Predator®. Gray Eagle offers a reliable, affordable, low-risk, and compelling next-generation tactical UAS solution to meet challenging service requirements for persistent Reconniassance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) and attack operations.
Gray Eagle has an endurance of 25 hours, speeds up to167 KTAS, can operate up to 29,000 feet, and carries 1,075 lb (488 kg) of internal and external payload. The aircraft can carry multiple payloads aloft, including Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR) with laser designation, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), communications relay, and four Hellfire missiles.
Compared to the Predator predecessor, Gray Eagle's Heavy Fuel Engine (HFE) supports the Army's "single fuel in the battlefield" concept and provides increased horsepower and significantly improved fuel efficiency, utilizing either jet or diesel fuel.
An extremely reliable UAS, Gray Eagle features a fault-tolerant control system and a triple-redundant avionics system architecture, similar to the systems integrated in the battle-proven Predator B. Designed with airworthiness as a primary consideration, Gray Eagle is engineered to meet and exceed manned aircraft reliability standards.
This long-range, long-dwell UAS is dedicated to direct operational control by Army field commanders. Its expansive mission set includes, but is not limited, to wide-area Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), convoy protection, Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detection and defeat, close air support, communications relay, and weapons delivery missions.
Gray Eagle features an automatic takeoff and landing system (ATLS) that allows the aircraft to be launched and recovered without any operator interaction. Gray Eagle aircraft have successfully conducted tens of thousands of takeoffs and landings.
Performance
Max Altitude 29,000 ft
Max Endurance 25 hr
Max Airspeed 167 KTAS
Features/Benefits:
Technologically advanced derivative of the combat-proven Predator
Dedicated to direct operational control by U.S. Army field commanders
Unprecedented reliability
Triple-redundant avionics and flight controls
Redundant flight control surfaces
Common Data link (CDL) Line-of-Sight (LOS) communications/air data relay communications
Satellite communications
Open, modular architecture supports integration of 3 payloads simultaneously, with capacity for growth
Automatic takeoff and landing reduces pilot workload
De-icing system
HFE offsets the logistical need for special fuels on the battlefield
Controlled by the U.S. Army One System Ground Control Station (OSGCS)
C-130 transportable