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.'

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