Predator B Big Wing flies 37 hours
The Big Wing Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper UAS variant has completed its longest endurance flight of 37 hours, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) announced on 1 June.
The endurance flight was part of an ongoing test programme at the company's Gray Butte Flight Operations Facility. The test saw the aircraft launch, reach an operational altitude, loiter and conduct reconnaissance manoeuvres, and land without incident after 37.5 hours.
According to the company the successful test proves the Big Wing's ability to increase flight time by over ten hours while matching an operational mission in manoeuvre and altitude profile.
A follow-on test programme will take place to expand the flight envelop and endurance profile of the aircraft further.
Predator B Big Wing's wing span is 13ft longer than Predator B and the aircraft has greater fuel capacity to increase endurance from 27 hours to 42 hours. The company is aiming to have a certifiable production aircraft in early 2018. Further hardware and software upgrades planned include improved structural fatigue and damage tolerance, more robust flight control software, and enhancements allowing operations in adverse weather.
The aircraft can undertake short-field takeoff and landing, and active lift spoilers on the wings enable precision automatic landings. Its wings have additional hard points for carrying external stores and provisions for a leading-edge de-icing system and integrated low- and high-band RF antennas.
David Alexander, president, aircraft systems, GA-ASI, said: 'This long-endurance flight demonstrates Predator B Big Wing's game-changing potential for providing life-saving persistent ISR in support of US and coalition warfighters.
'Our company continually strives to extend Predator B's already impressive endurance further, pushing the aircraft's capabilities to its full potential.'
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures]()
Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has driven another stage of evolution for drones and the counter measures to defend against them.
-
![L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms]()
L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms
The new Amorphous software is a universal controller that would allow a single operator to control a swarm of “thousands” of uncrewed systems, from drones to underwater platforms.
-
![ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025]()
ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025
India UAV supplier ideaForge has launched the Netra 5 and Switch V2 drones at Aero India 2025, boasting of enhanced endurance, AI-driven autonomy and improved operational capabilities.
-
![Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market]()
Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market
The UAV market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with innovations in technology and battlefield applications driving demand across military sectors. From the battlefields of Ukraine to NATO exercises and beyond, drones are transforming how wars are fought and supported.
-
![Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system]()
Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system
Launched at AUSA in October, the company’s multi-stream video codec is attempting to bring a new lease of life to drone technology through its AI accelerator.
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
