 |
| GA-ASI Delivers Final Two RQ-1 Predators to Italian Air Force |
The Italian Air Force has taken delivery of two Predator-A drones from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., the last two Predator-A systems being produced.
The remotely piloted aircraft will perform intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
"With the delivery of these aircraft, GA-ASI completes over two decades of delivering Predator A capabilities to the United States and allied countries," said Frank W. Pace, president, Aircraft Systems, GA-ASI. "Amassing over 2.1 million cumulative flight hours and featuring the highest mission capable rate of any aircraft in the Air Force's inventory, Predators will continue to keep warfighters safe by equipping them with unparalleled situational awareness for many years to come."
Italian delivery marks end of General Atomics RQ-1 production
General Atomics says Italy now operates 15 of its unmanned aircraft, but would not reveal how many of each type at the customer’s request. It took delivery of its first RQ-1 in 2004, and has also procured six MQ-9s that were recently approved by the US government to carry weapons.
That suggests a total of nine Italian RQ-1s, which are used for intelligence gathering. The aircraft are particularly active over the Mediterranean Sea and in support of NATO operations.
The manufacturer says the last RQ-1 exited the production line in Poway, California, in September or October. Testing is completed at another site in the Palmdale region.
No comments:
Post a Comment