Mariner unmanned aerial vehicle

December 19th, 2012   Filed under: mariner uav, predator, predator drone, uav, uav airplane, UAV related 1 Comment

From my previous posts I’ve shared with you the information of the Predator UAV class. Today I will bring you a variant of the Predator called the Mariner unmanned aerial vehicle. The mariner is a highly successful UAV airplane intended for use as a long endurance maritime and border surveillance missions. This variant can be equipped with extra fuel allowing it to fly on long missions up to 49 hours. That’s 2 whole days, no human would be able to sit in a plane for that long and keep sane. With the ability to carry 800 pounds of internal payloads the mariner also has the ability to carry external payloads up 3,800 pounds providing for multiple missions able to be accomplished from a single UAV. 

mariner uav
Mariner UAV
Photo: dsto.defence.gov.au
The Mariner UAV airplane is designed to meet the standards of the U.S. Navy’s Broad Area Maritime Surveillance program (BAMS) since it can provide instantaneous data directly to the system for target tracking and regular maritime surveillance. The Mariner UAV airplane is a top choice for homeland security due to its reliability and cost-effectiveness. The wingspan of this UAV is 88ft with the length at 36ft. It is designed to operate at a ceiling of 50,000ft and a maximum airspeed of 230kts. The predator has moved from a concept to being able to transform into a UAV with the ability to provide surveillance for 49 hours straight, that’s a huge advance in technology and I can’t wait to see what’s to come in the future!

Predator B vs Altair unmanned airplanes

November 2nd, 2012   Filed under: airplane, altair, predator, predator drone, uav airplane, UAV related, usaf Add Comment

Predator B Vs. Altair

PREDATOR B

ALTAIR

Military Multi-Mission ISR

High-Altitude Scientific Research

Wingspan:

66 ft (20.1168m)

Fuselage:

36 ft (10.9728m)

Weight:

10,000 lb (4536 kg)

Altitude:

50,000 ft

Endurance:

30+ hr

Payload:

Internal – 800 lb (363 kg)

External – 3,000 lb (1361 kg)

Powerplant:

Honeywell TPE 331-10T

Air Speed:

Over 220 kn

Customer:

U.S. Air Force

Wingspan:

86 ft (26.2128m)

Fuselage:

36 ft (10.9728m)

Weight:

7,000 lb (3175 kg)

Altitude:

52,000 ft

Endurance:

30+ hr

Payload:

Internal – 660 lb (300 kg)

External – 3,000 lb (1361 kg)

Powerplant:

Honeywell TPE 331-10T

Air Speed:

TBA

Customer:

NASA

Predator B 3d model

The Predator B, developed in 2000, had its first flight in February 2001. The airplane is powered by a turboprop engine; the Predator B series was built to be a long-endurance, high-altitude unmanned aircraft for multiple uses with appeal to a variety of customers. Surveillance, targeting, and weapons delivery are just a few of the possible applications of this craft as well as scientific research and other civilian applications. The Predator B has the ability to maintain multiple missions simultaneously thanks to its large internal and external 

payload capacity.

       
      


 

       The Altair was designed to be a high altitude version of the Predator B. It was specifically designed as an unmanned craft for both scientific and commercial research missions. The air craft meets the requirements of endurance, reliability and increased payload capacity. The craft was built in partnership with NASA, the Altair has an 86 ft wingspan, can fly up to 52,000 ft.; It can remain airborne over 30 hours. It is the first remotely piloted aircraft that will meet aviation authority requirements for unmanned flights in National Air Space. Altair is currently being integrated with an automated collision avoidance system and an air traffic control voice relay to increase responsiveness and communication for flights in National Airspace.

source: uavinfo.org

General Atomic’s Predator Drone

October 25th, 2012   Filed under: afghanistan, predator, predator drone, uav airplane, UAV related, usaf Add Comment

The MQ-1 Predator is one of the most widely know and used unmanned aircraft in use today. The predator is used mainly by the USAF (United States Air Force) and CIA (Central Intelligence Agency). Initially produced in the 1990′s for reconnaissance the predator has been upgraded to be able to carry a weapon arsenal as well as various other sensors. The predator UAS system consists of four aircraft, a ground control suite, and a primary satellite communication suite. Powered by a Rotax engine and a propeller this aircraft is capable of travelling 400 miles and staying in the air for 14 hours.

Source: http://ohiofraudclosure.blogspot.com

General Atomics was originally awarded the contract to build the drone in January 1994. The initial phase lasted from 1994 to June 1996. The predator drone is controlled from a ground control station by a c-band line of sight data-link or a K-band satellite data-link for beyond line of sight operations.

In the winter of 2000-2001 after seeing the result of the predators reconnaissance in Afghanistan Cofer Black, head of the CIA became a vocal advocate of the predator and it’s abilities to use weapons against Osama Bin Laden. He also thought that CIA pressure and interest caused the USAF to accelerate the armed predator program. Further tests occurred between May 22 and June 7, 2001. Missile accuracy was precise, although there was problems with ‘missile fuzing.’ A replica of bin Laden’s residence was built and a hell fire was successfully launched and confirmed to be able to kill anyone that was inside.

The predator drone continues to be a huge resource to the USA and our allies. Providing reconnaissance support as well as firepower. At a price tag of 4 million dollars per unit this is substantially cheaper than the F-16 fighter jet. Not to mention no loss of life if a predator crashes.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Atomics_MQ-1_Predator