Grey Eagle Company Joins 160th SOAR

Grey Eagle Company Joins 160th SOAR | Defense Tech

The Army’s elite special operation aviation regiment welcomed its first ever MQ-1C Gray Eagle company last month.

The high end UAS drone is almost an exact replicate derived from of the Air Force’s MQ-1 Predator with improved, more robust ground control, airframe, propulsion and avionics. It is capable of carrying Hellfire missiles as well as a host of sensor suites to include radars, signal intelligence and high definition cameras.

Adding a Gray Eagle company to 160th SOAR "Night Stalkers" means Army Special Forces units can have an organic MQ-1 aircraft under their control and will lessen the dependence on the Air Force to supply intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). However, Special Forces will still need to depend on the Air Force as one company will not be able to satisfy all of Army Special Forces’ needs, but it should be especially helpful in training.

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The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment’s mission is to organize, equip, train, resource and employ Army special operations aviation forces worldwide in support of contingency missions and combatant commanders. Known as Night Stalkers, these Soldiers are recognized for their proficiency in nighttime operations. They are highly trained and ready to accomplish the very toughest missions in all environments, anywhere in the world, day or night, with unparalleled precision. They employ highly modified Chinook, Black Hawk and assault and attack configurations of Little Bird helicopters.

Soldiers of the 160th have been actively and continuously engaged in the combat operations since October 2001. Today, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment continues a sustained and active forward presence in the U.S. Central Command area of operations at multiple locations in support of operations Enduring Freedom. Our crews also provide support to U.S. Southern, Pacific, Africa, and European commands.


160th SOAR slotted the Grey Eagles in E Company, which will be temporarily stationed at Fort Huachuca, Ariz. The company will be made up of roughly 12 Gray Eagles and 165 personnel. Once construction is complete, E Company will be permanently stationed in Fort Campbell, Ky.

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Defense.org

General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle  unmanned aircraft system developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for the United States Army. It is an upgrade of the MQ-1 Predator. 

Top speed: 173 mph (278 km/h)  

Range: 249 miles (400 km)  

Length: 28' (8.50 m)  

Wingspan: 56' (17 m)  

Cruise speed: 155 mph (250 km/h)   

Engine type: Thielert Centurion  

Unit cost: 21,500,000–31,200,000 USD (2013)