Unmanned aerial vehicles and aviation

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