Successful Flight Tests of Predator® C Avenger® by GA-ASI

SAN DIEGO – 13 June 2016 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), a prominent player in the production of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, has achieved significant milestones with its Predator® C Avenger®. Recently, the company announced the successful flight tests equipped with the advanced MS-177 Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensor from UTC Aerospace Systems.

The MS-177 sensor represents a leap forward in imaging technology, being a key part of UTC’s SYERS sensor family. This innovative sensor enhances the Avenger’s capabilities for long-range imaging, thereby delivering superior target detection for maritime operations. It is notably more advanced than the SYERS 2 used in U-2 aircraft and offers a cost-effective manufacturing solution.

“The combination of Avenger and MS-177 provides a revolutionary capability that transforms the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) landscape,” stated Linden Blue, CEO of GA-ASI. “An Avenger equipped with an MS-177 sensor delivers strategic ISR advantages at a fraction of the cost compared to other ISR platforms, enabling high-resolution imagery from extensive distances, thus greatly enhancing warfighter situational awareness.”

Throughout the government-funded testing phase, Avenger successfully demonstrated its capability to gather high-resolution imagery of both land-based and littoral targets at altitudes exceeding 37,000 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL). A total of seven test flights took place between January and February 2016 at Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, California.

Looking ahead, GA-ASI is set to initiate flight testing for an Improved Avenger in October 2016. This upgraded version aims to bolster the operational efficiency of the MS-177 sensor further. With an extended wingspan of 76 feet, the Improved Avenger will elevate the aircraft’s remarkable endurance from 15 hours to 20 hours, maximizing the effectiveness of the MS-177 sensor over lengthier missions. This enhancement will deliver a well-rounded balance of long-loiter ISR and precision-strike capabilities, accommodating diverse sensors and weapons payloads for high-speed, multi-mission ISR and ground support operations.

Media Note: High-resolution images of the Avenger are available for qualified media outlets through the GA-ASI media contact.