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| Predator C Avenger RPA |
India in talks with US to procure Avenger drone | The Navhind Times
NEW DELHI • India is vying to become one of the first countries to import armed Predator Avenger drones from the United States, a move that would allow it to remotely drop a bomb on any square inch of Pakistan.
The unmanned aircraft manufactured by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems are sleek, fast, killing machines. From New Delhi, they could hunt militants across Pakistan, and become a strategic consideration in border stand-offs with China. If approved, the drones would also be another sign of the growing defence ties between Washington and New Delhi.
On Sept 22, the US in a statement backed India's membership in the Missile Technology Control Regime, a prerequisite for buying the drones. Two days later, India's Air Force sent a letter to San Diego-based General Atomics saying it wanted to purchase the Avenger, according to a copy seen by Bloomberg. Air Force officials declined to comment on the letter.
Predator C Avenger RPA
The high-speed, multi-mission Avenger is a long-endurance, medium-to-high-altitude Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) system that can perform wide-area surveillance, time-sensitive strike missions over land or sea, and a host of other challenging military missions. The aircraft has much higher operational and transit speeds than current Predator-series aircraft, resulting in quick response and rapid repositioning for improved mission flexibility and survivability.
Avenger is a highly advanced, next-generation RPA. The jet-powered aircraft is equipped with a Pratt and Whitney PW545B turbofan engine capable of producing 4,800 pounds installed thrust. The engine is designed for greater fuel economy and features class-leading fuel consumption components. Avenger can operate at speeds up to 400 KTAS, a maximum altitude of 50,000 feet, and 18 hours endurance. Its significant payload capacity enables it to carry multiple sensors, while its internal weapons bay can house 3,500 pounds of precision munitions.
The next-generation Avenger employs the same materials and avionics as Predator B and is likewise controlled from and fully interoperable with GA-ASI Ground Control Stations (GCS) used for operating Predator-series aircraft. Avenger's low cost and advanced capabilities make it the optimum choice for employment in "swarm" tactics where affordable quantities count in a successful outcome.
In 2016, an extended range variant of Avenger will be available which will feature a 76-foot wingspan and increased fuel capacity that will increase the aircraft's endurance to 20 hours.
Performance
| Max Altitude | 50,000 ft |
| Max Endurance | 18 hr |
| Max Airspeed | 400 KTAS |
- Jet performance and reliability
- Reduced detection features
- Internal stores carriage
- Multiple payload capacity
- Retractable Electo-optic/Infrared (EO/IR) gimbal
- Triple-redundant avionics
- Dual-redundant flight controls
- Six external hard points
- Compatible with all GA-ASI GCS
- C-5/C-17 transportable (or self-deploy)
Related/Background:
- New Laser Weapons Coming to a Drone Near You: General Atomics Predator-C Avenger Getting 150-Kilowatt Laser Weapon, and Rheinmatall Developing 80-Kilowatt Gatling Laser! | DefenseReview.com (DR): An online tactical technology and military defense technology magazine with particular focus on the latest and greatest tactical firearms news (tactical gun news), tactical gear news and tactical shooting news.
- A Predator C Avenger drone for the RCAF? | Ottawa Citizen
- spendergast: PREDATOR C and "Sea Avenger" UAV
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