Initially conceived in the early 1990s for aerial reconnaissance and forward observation roles, the Predator carries cameras and other sensors.
In the early 1990s, the CIA became interested in the "Amber", a drone developed by Leading Systems, Inc.
The new development became known as the "Predator". General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA) was awarded a contract to develop the Predator in January 1994, and the initial Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) phase lasted from January 1994 to June 1996.
First flight took place on 3 July 1994 at the El Mirage airfield in the Mojave Desert.
Since its first flight in July 1994, the MQ-1 series accumulated over 1,000,000 flight hours and maintained a fleet fully mission capable rate over 90 percent. On 22 October 2013, the U.S.
In Iraq a Predator fires its missile' Accident report from 20 March 2006 MQ-1L crash Missile strike emphasizes Al-Qaida Q-01 Unmanned aerial vehicles of the United States General Atomics MQ-1 Predator Medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles Signals intelligence War on Terror V-tail aircraft Single-engined pusher aircraft General Atomics MQ-1 Synthetic aperture radar Aircraft first flown in 1994
The aircraft entered service in 1995, and saw combat in the war in Afghanistan, Pakistan, the NATO intervention in Bosnia, 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, the Iraq War, Yemen, the 2011 Libyan civil war, the 2014 intervention in Syria, and Somalia. The USAF describes the Predator as a "Tier II" MALE UAS (medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft system).
During the ACTD phase, three systems were purchased from GA, comprising twelve aircraft and three ground control stations. From April through May 1995, the Predator ACTD aircraft were flown as a part of the Roving Sands 1995 exercises in the U.S.
The aircraft was first operationally deployed in 1995 and in 2011 the last of 268 Predators were delivered to the service, of which just over 100 were still in service by the start of 2018.
In a recent undisclosed deployment, airmen set up a portable hangar in a tent and a wooden taxiway to operate MQ-1s for a six-week period. ===The Balkans=== The first overseas deployment took place in the Balkans, from July to November 1995, under the name Nomad Vigil.
Intelligence collection missions began in July 1995.
One of the Predators was lost over Bosnia on 11 August 1995; a second was deliberately destroyed on 14 August after suffering an engine failure over Bosnia, which may have been caused by hostile ground fire.
The new development became known as the "Predator". General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA) was awarded a contract to develop the Predator in January 1994, and the initial Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) phase lasted from January 1994 to June 1996.
Army as well as with several foreign nations. ===Squadrons and operational units=== During the initial ACTD phase, the United States Army led the evaluation program, but in April 1996, the Secretary of Defense selected the U.S.
The following spring, in March 1996, the system was redeployed to the Balkans area and operated out of Taszar, Hungary. Several others were destroyed in the course of Operation Noble Anvil, the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia: One aircraft (serial 95-3017) was lost on 18 April 1999, following fuel system problems and icing. A second aircraft (serial 95-3019) was lost on 13 May, when it was shot down by a Serbian Strela-1M surface-to-air missile over the village of Biba.
The aircraft entered service in 1995, and saw combat in the war in Afghanistan, Pakistan, the NATO intervention in Bosnia, 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, the Iraq War, Yemen, the 2011 Libyan civil war, the 2014 intervention in Syria, and Somalia. The USAF describes the Predator as a "Tier II" MALE UAS (medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft system).
The following spring, in March 1996, the system was redeployed to the Balkans area and operated out of Taszar, Hungary. Several others were destroyed in the course of Operation Noble Anvil, the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia: One aircraft (serial 95-3017) was lost on 18 April 1999, following fuel system problems and icing. A second aircraft (serial 95-3019) was lost on 13 May, when it was shot down by a Serbian Strela-1M surface-to-air missile over the village of Biba.
But by 2000, improvements in communications systems made it possible, at least in theory, to fly the drone remotely from great distances.
The total flight time reached 1 million hours in April 2010, according to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. ===Armed versions=== The USAF BIG SAFARI program office managed the Predator program and was given direction on 21 June 2000 to explore options to arm the aircraft.
The Predator gives little warning of attack; it is relatively quiet and the Hellfire is supersonic, so it strikes before it is heard by the target. In the winter of 2000–2001, after seeing the results of Predator reconnaissance in Afghanistan (see below), Cofer Black, head of the CIA's Counterterrorist Center (CTC), became a "vocal advocate" of arming the Predator with missiles to target Osama bin Laden in the country.
A Serbian TV crew videotaped this incident. A third aircraft (serial number 95-3021) crashed on 20 May near the town of Talinovci, and Serbian news reported that this, too, was the result of anti-aircraft fire. ===Afghanistan=== In 2000, a joint CIA-DoD effort was agreed to locate Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan.
The first experimental flight was held on 7 September 2000.
By October 2000, deteriorating weather conditions made it difficult for the Predator to fly from its base in Uzbekistan, and the flights were suspended. On 16 February 2001 at Nellis Air Force Base, a Predator successfully fired three Hellfire AGM-114C missiles into a target.
Powered by a Rotax engine and driven by a propeller, the air vehicle can fly up to to a target, loiter overhead for 14 hours, then return to its base. The RQ-1 Predator was the primary remotely piloted aircraft used for offensive operations by the USAF and the CIA in Afghanistan and the Pakistani tribal areas from 2001 until the introduction of the MQ-9 Reaper; it has also been deployed elsewhere.
The RQ-1 conducted its first firing of a Hellfire anti-tank missile on 16 February 2001; over a bombing range near Indian Springs Air Force Station north of Las Vegas, Nevada, an inert AGM-114C successfully hit a tank target.
This led to a series of tests on 21 February 2001 in which the Predator fired three Hellfire missiles, scoring hits on a stationary tank with all three missiles.
Black, and "Richard", who was in charge of the CTC's Bin Laden Issue Station, continued to press during 2001 for a Predator armed with Hellfire missiles. Further weapons tests occurred between 22 May and 7 June 2001, with mixed results.
By October 2000, deteriorating weather conditions made it difficult for the Predator to fly from its base in Uzbekistan, and the flights were suspended. On 16 February 2001 at Nellis Air Force Base, a Predator successfully fired three Hellfire AGM-114C missiles into a target.
In the first week of June 2001, a Hellfire missile was successfully launched on a replica of bin Laden's Afghanistan Tarnak residence built at a Nevada testing site.
On 4 September 2001 (after the Bush cabinet approved a Qaeda/Taliban plan), CIA chief Tenet ordered the agency to resume reconnaissance flights.
The Predators were now weapons-capable, but didn't carry missiles because the host country (presumably Uzbekistan) hadn't granted permission. Subsequent to 9/11, approval was quickly granted to ship the missiles, and the Predator aircraft and missiles reached their overseas location on 16 September 2001.
In 2002, the USAF officially changed the designation to MQ-1 ("M" for multi-role) to reflect its growing use as an armed aircraft. ===Command and sensor systems=== During campaign in the former Yugoslavia, a Predator's pilot would sit with several payload specialists in a van near the runway of the drone's operating base.
strike was based on faulty intelligence. ===Iraq=== An Iraqi MiG-25 shot down a Predator performing reconnaissance over the no fly zone in Iraq on 23 December 2002.
From the beginning of Operation Inherent Resolve to January 2016, five UASF Predators were lost; four crashed from technical failures in Iraq, one in June 2015, two in October 2015, and one in January 2016. ===Yemen=== On 3 November 2002, a Hellfire missile was fired at a car in Yemen, killing Qaed Salim Sinan al-Harethi, an al-Qaeda leader thought to be responsible for the USS Cole bombing.
A contract for 6 version A Predators (later upgraded to A+) was signed in July 2002 and delivery begun in December 2004.
Predator P107 achieved the milestone while flying a 21-hour combat mission; P107 was first delivered in October 2004. ===Pakistan=== From at least 2003 until 2011, the U.S.
Another two Predators had been shot down earlier by Iraqi SAMs. During the initial phases of the 2003 U.S.
Predator P107 achieved the milestone while flying a 21-hour combat mission; P107 was first delivered in October 2004. ===Pakistan=== From at least 2003 until 2011, the U.S.
strike in the War on Terrorism outside Afghanistan. In 2004, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's (ABC-TV) international affairs program Foreign Correspondent investigated this targeted killing and the involvement of the then U.S.
A contract for 6 version A Predators (later upgraded to A+) was signed in July 2002 and delivery begun in December 2004.
Requests had been made in 2005 for the aircraft to be used in search and rescue operations following Hurricane Katrina, but because there was no FAA authorization in place at the time, the assets were not used.
The 3d Special Operations Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base, 11th, 15th, 17th, and 18th Reconnaissance Squadrons, Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, and the Air National Guard's 163d Reconnaissance Wing at March Air Reserve Base, California, currently operate the MQ-1. In 2005, the U.S.
From July 2005 to June 2006, the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron participated in more than 242 separate raids, engaged 132 troops in contact-force protection actions, fired 59 Hellfire missiles; surveyed 18,490 targets, escorted four convoys, and flew 2,073 sorties for more than 33,833 flying hours. Iraqi insurgents intercepted video feeds, which were not encrypted, using a $26 piece of Russian software named SkyGrabber.
It was used in these missions: Iraq, Tallil: from January 2005 to November 2006 for "Antica Babilonia" mission (1.600 hours flew) Afghanistan, Herat: from June 2007 to January 2014 (beginning with Predator A, then A+ and finally replaced by MQ-9 Reaper).
Army selected the MQ-1C Warrior as the winner of the Extended-Range Multi-Purpose UAV competition August 2005.
During this period, the MQ-1 Predator fitted with Hellfire missiles was successfully used to kill a number of prominent al Qaeda operatives. On 13 January 2006, 18 civilians were unintentionally killed by the Predator.
From July 2005 to June 2006, the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron participated in more than 242 separate raids, engaged 132 troops in contact-force protection actions, fired 59 Hellfire missiles; surveyed 18,490 targets, escorted four convoys, and flew 2,073 sorties for more than 33,833 flying hours. Iraqi insurgents intercepted video feeds, which were not encrypted, using a $26 piece of Russian software named SkyGrabber.
forces used a Predator drone to try and kill Indonesian terrorist Umar Patek in the Philippines in 2006.
It was used in these missions: Iraq, Tallil: from January 2005 to November 2006 for "Antica Babilonia" mission (1.600 hours flew) Afghanistan, Herat: from June 2007 to January 2014 (beginning with Predator A, then A+ and finally replaced by MQ-9 Reaper).
In Iraq a Predator fires its missile' Accident report from 20 March 2006 MQ-1L crash Missile strike emphasizes Al-Qaida Q-01 Unmanned aerial vehicles of the United States General Atomics MQ-1 Predator Medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles Signals intelligence War on Terror V-tail aircraft Single-engined pusher aircraft General Atomics MQ-1 Synthetic aperture radar Aircraft first flown in 1994
Predators and Reapers fired missiles 244 times in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2007 and 2008.
It was used in these missions: Iraq, Tallil: from January 2005 to November 2006 for "Antica Babilonia" mission (1.600 hours flew) Afghanistan, Herat: from June 2007 to January 2014 (beginning with Predator A, then A+ and finally replaced by MQ-9 Reaper).
Predators and Reapers fired missiles 244 times in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2007 and 2008.
The Predator was retired from USAF service in March 2018. ==Operational history== As of March 2009, the U.S.
A report in March 2009 indicated that U.S.
They will be replaced with 12 MQ-1 Predator UAVs, and the new unit should be fully equipped and outfitted by 2009.
Customs and Border Protection was reported in 2013 to be operating 10 Predators and to have requested 14 more. On 21 June 2009, the United States Air Force announced that it was creating a new MQ-1 squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base that would become operational by February 2011.
The aircraft became operational in 2009 as the MQ-1C Gray Eagle. ==Operators== Italian Air Force * 32° Stormo (32nd Wing) Armando Boetto—Foggia, Amendola Air Force Base ** 28° Gruppo (28th Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron) ** 61° Gruppo (61st Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron) Turkish Air Force The Turkish Air Force has 6 MQ-1 Predators on order via the USA's Foreign Military Sales mechanism.
The total flight time reached 1 million hours in April 2010, according to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. ===Armed versions=== The USAF BIG SAFARI program office managed the Predator program and was given direction on 21 June 2000 to explore options to arm the aircraft.
The aircraft entered service in 1995, and saw combat in the war in Afghanistan, Pakistan, the NATO intervention in Bosnia, 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, the Iraq War, Yemen, the 2011 Libyan civil war, the 2014 intervention in Syria, and Somalia. The USAF describes the Predator as a "Tier II" MALE UAS (medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft system).
The last Predator for the USAF was completed in 2011; later Predator aircraft were built on the Predator XP assembly line. The United States Air Force officially announced plans to retire the MQ-1 on 9 March 2018.
the most accident-prone aircraft in the Air Force fleet." On 3 March 2011, the U.S.
The aircraft was first operationally deployed in 1995 and in 2011 the last of 268 Predators were delivered to the service, of which just over 100 were still in service by the start of 2018.
Customs and Border Protection was reported in 2013 to be operating 10 Predators and to have requested 14 more. On 21 June 2009, the United States Air Force announced that it was creating a new MQ-1 squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base that would become operational by February 2011.
In September 2011, the U.S.
This appears to be the first use of such a weapon in a close air support role. On 6 April 2011, 2 US soldiers were killed in Afghanistan when the Predator had its first friendly fire incident.
Predator P107 achieved the milestone while flying a 21-hour combat mission; P107 was first delivered in October 2004. ===Pakistan=== From at least 2003 until 2011, the U.S.
The report also examined the evolving tactics and countermeasures in dealing with Al Qaeda inspired attacks. On 30 September 2011, a Hellfire fired from an American UAV killed Anwar al-Awlaki, an American-citizen cleric and Al Qaeda leader, in Yemen.
An MQ-1B fired its first Hellfire missile in the conflict on 23 April 2011, striking a BM-21 Grad.
MQ-9 Reapers were also deployed. ===Somalia=== On 25 June 2011, US Predator drones attacked an Al-Shabaab (militant group) training camp south of Kismayo.
The Turkish Air Force also operates 3 MQ-1 Predator systems on lease from the US as a stop gap measure as of 2011.
In 2012, the Predator, Reaper and Global Hawk were described as "...
There are also some suggestions that a Predator was involved in the final attack against Gaddafi. Predators returned to Libya in 2012, after the attack that killed the US Ambassador in Benghazi.
Ibrahim al-Afghani, a senior al Shabaab leader was rumored to be killed in the strike. Four Al-Shabaab fighters, including a Kenyan, were killed in a drone strike late February 2012. ===Iran=== On 1 November 2012, two Iranian Sukhoi Su-25 attack aircraft engaged an unarmed Predator conducting routine surveillance over the Persian Gulf just before 05:00 EST.
On 17 March 2015, a US MQ-1 was shot down by a Syrian government S-125 SAM battery when it overflew the Port of Latakia, a region not involved in the international military operation. ===Philippines=== A 2012 New York Times article claimed that U.S.
It was reported that a drone was responsible for killing al-Qaeda operative Zulkifli bin Hir on Jolo island on 2 February 2012.
Since its first flight in July 1994, the MQ-1 series accumulated over 1,000,000 flight hours and maintained a fleet fully mission capable rate over 90 percent. On 22 October 2013, the U.S.
Customs and Border Protection was reported in 2013 to be operating 10 Predators and to have requested 14 more. On 21 June 2009, the United States Air Force announced that it was creating a new MQ-1 squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base that would become operational by February 2011.
Air National Guard announced that despite current plans for budget cuts, they will continue to operate the Air Force's combat UAVs, including MQ-1B. On 28 August 2013, a Predator belonging to the 163d Reconnaissance Wing was flying at 18,000 to 20,000 feet over the Rim Fire in California providing infrared video of lurking fires, after receiving emergency approvals.
Rules limit the Predator behavior; it must be accompanied by a manned aircraft, and its camera must only be active above the fire. In September 2013, the Air Force Special Operations Command tested the ability to rapidly deploy Predator aircraft.
This occurred when observers in Indiana did not relay their doubts about the target to the operators at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada. On 5 May 2013, an MQ-1 Predator surpassed 20,000 flight hours over Afghanistan by a single Predator.
Iran states that the drone entered Iran's airspace and that its aircraft fired warning shots to drive it away. On 12 March 2013, an Iranian F-4 Phantom pursued an MQ-1 flying over the Persian Gulf.
The leased MQ-1s are under Turkish command (UAV Base Group Command) but operated by a joint Turkish-US unit. United Arab Emirates Air Force signed a US$197 million deal in February 2013 for an unspecified number of Predators, XP version, marking its first sale.
The aircraft entered service in 1995, and saw combat in the war in Afghanistan, Pakistan, the NATO intervention in Bosnia, 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, the Iraq War, Yemen, the 2011 Libyan civil war, the 2014 intervention in Syria, and Somalia. The USAF describes the Predator as a "Tier II" MALE UAS (medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft system).
Army. The USAF ordered a total of 259 Predators, and due to retirements and crashes the number in Air Force operation was reduced to 154 as of May 2014.
Work to secure the data feeds was to be completed by 2014. On 27 June 2014, the Pentagon confirmed that a number of armed Predators had been sent to Iraq along with U.S.
On 8 August 2014, an MQ-1 Predator fired a missile at a militant mortar position.
It was used in these missions: Iraq, Tallil: from January 2005 to November 2006 for "Antica Babilonia" mission (1.600 hours flew) Afghanistan, Herat: from June 2007 to January 2014 (beginning with Predator A, then A+ and finally replaced by MQ-9 Reaper).
First flight on 27 June 2014.
Budget proposals planned to retire the Predator fleet between FY 2015 and 2017 in favor of the larger MQ-9 Reaper, which has greater payload and range.
MQ-1s will probably be placed in non-recoverable storage at the Boneyard and not sold to allies, although antenna, ground control stations, and other components may be salvaged for continued use on other airframes. General Atomics completed manufacturing on the final RQ-1 ordered by Italy by October 2015, marking the end of Predator A production after two decades.
From the beginning of Operation Inherent Resolve to January 2016, five UASF Predators were lost; four crashed from technical failures in Iraq, one in June 2015, two in October 2015, and one in January 2016. ===Yemen=== On 3 November 2002, a Hellfire missile was fired at a car in Yemen, killing Qaed Salim Sinan al-Harethi, an al-Qaeda leader thought to be responsible for the USS Cole bombing.
On 17 March 2015, a US MQ-1 was shot down by a Syrian government S-125 SAM battery when it overflew the Port of Latakia, a region not involved in the international military operation. ===Philippines=== A 2012 New York Times article claimed that U.S.
From the beginning of Operation Inherent Resolve to January 2016, five UASF Predators were lost; four crashed from technical failures in Iraq, one in June 2015, two in October 2015, and one in January 2016. ===Yemen=== On 3 November 2002, a Hellfire missile was fired at a car in Yemen, killing Qaed Salim Sinan al-Harethi, an al-Qaeda leader thought to be responsible for the USS Cole bombing.
Budget proposals planned to retire the Predator fleet between FY 2015 and 2017 in favor of the larger MQ-9 Reaper, which has greater payload and range.
General Atomics stated on 16 February 2017 that it finished deliveries, declining comment on the number delivered. Royal Moroccan Air Force received four Predator A aircraft. ===Former operators=== U.S.
Due to needed airborne surveillance after the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) invaded Iraq, the Predator's retirement was pushed to 2018.
The last Predator for the USAF was completed in 2011; later Predator aircraft were built on the Predator XP assembly line. The United States Air Force officially announced plans to retire the MQ-1 on 9 March 2018.
The Predator was retired from USAF service in March 2018. ==Operational history== As of March 2009, the U.S.
The 2 million hour mark was reached just two and a half years after that. On 9 March 2018, the U.S.
The aircraft was first operationally deployed in 1995 and in 2011 the last of 268 Predators were delivered to the service, of which just over 100 were still in service by the start of 2018.
Also killed was Samir Khan, an American born in Saudi Arabia, who was editor of al-Qaeda's English-language webzine, Inspire. On 22 March 2019, Houthi rebels claimed to have shot down an MQ-1 drone operated by the "Saudi-led coalition forces".
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