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ER/MP Gray Eagle: Enhanced MQ-1C Predators for the Army

Oct 03, 2012 15:44 UTC by Defense Industry Daily staff

Latest updates [?]: Support and engine retrofits.

ER/MP, armed
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In August 2005, “Team Warrior” leader General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. in San Diego, CA won a $214.4 million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) of the Extended Range/ Multi Purpose Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System (ER/MP UAS). That was just the first step along the US Army’s $5 billion road to fielding a true Medium Altitude, Long Endurance, armed UAV, modified from the USAF’s famous MQ-1 Predator.

The ER/MP program was part of the US Army’s reinvestment of dollars from the canceled RAH-66 Comanche helicopter program, and directly supports the Army’s Aviation Modernization Plan. Its position got a boost when a 2007 program restructuring cut the Future Combat Systems Class III UAV competition, in favor of ER/MP. Next, the US Air Force saw this Predator derivative as a threat and tried to destroy it, but the program survived the first big “Key West” battle of the 21st century. Now the MQ-1C “Gray Eagle” is moving into full production, as the US Army’s high-end UAV. This FOCUS article offers a program history, key statistics and budget figures, and ongoing coverage of the program’s contracts and milestones.

Displaying 202 of 13,524 words (about 34 pages)

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Comprehensive tracking of contracts and awards to General Atomics, AAI Corporation, L-3 Com, SPART and Thielert
Coverage of the fraud investigation and severe financial troubles involving engine supplier Thielert, who produce the heavy-fuel engine
Background on the US Army and Air Force power struggle for control of the UAV system, and the progress towards its resolution
Insight on increased demand: "As of September 2007, MQ-1 Predator UAVs had reached 300,000 flight hours since inception around 2001, of which 80% were combat flight."
From wingspan to weapons payload, the MQ-1C Sky Warrior, MQ-1 Predator, MQ-1C Sky Warrior and MQ-9 Reaper are detailed
9 photos, and Appendices A-C of additional resources tracking the UAV program

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ER/MP Gray Eagle: Enhanced MQ-1C Predators for the Army

The MQ-1C Gray Eagle, and its Band of Brothers

The Army’s MQ-1C Gray Eagle

Sensors and Add-Ons

The Army’s ER/MP Program

ER/MP UAS – Enter the Warrior: Contracts & Key Events

FY 2012

FY 2011

FY 2010

FY 2008 – 2009

FY 2005 – 2007

Appendix A: US Army et. al. vs. USAF Over UAVs

Footnotes

Appendix B: Who Controls the UAVs? Readings & Primers

Additional Readings

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