Gray Eagle-ER follow-on tests complete
The US Army has completed testing of the MQ-1C Gray Eagle Extended Range (ER) as part of follow-on test and evaluation work to assess the system's capabilities.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems' Gray Eagle-ER features a robust, high capacity fuel system and offers considerable improvement in endurance and payload capabilities, in addition to improved reliability and maintainability, over the Gray Eagle system currently deployed by the army.
The new capabilities are intended to bridge operational gaps to enable combatant commanders to meet mission requirements at extended distances in emerging theatres of operation.
During testing the army carried out ISR missions representative of operationally realistic contingency operations scenarios, including forces on the ground, live operational networks and opposing force elements.
The data collected will assess the system's ability to meet mission range and endurance standards, and inform assessment of the operating unit's organisational design and ability to sustain mission operations.
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