Warrior ER/MP: An Enhanced Predator for the Army
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In August 2005, “Team Warrior” leader General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. in San Diego, CA won a $214.4 million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) of the Extended Range/ Multi Purpose Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System (ER/MP UAS). The Warrior was designed to fill both surveillance and attack roles, and the MQ-1C Sky Warrior derived from General Atomics’ famous MQ-1 Predator beat the Hunter II system offered by Northrop Grumman, Aurora Flight Systems, and IAI.
The Sky Warrior ER/MP program is part of the US Army’s reinvestment of dollars from the canceled RAH-66 Comanche helicopter program, and directly supports the Army’s Aviation Modernization Plan. ER/MP could be a $1 billion effort, and recently strengthened its position when a 2007 program restructuring cut the Future Combat Systems Class III UAV competition. Now, in FY 2008, the MQ-1C Sky Warrior ER/MP prepares to move into production – as the first big “Key West” battle of the 21st century between the USAF and US Army reaches a resolution. But the Sky Warrior and Predator will be merging into a single program. What does that mean, exactly? DID asked. Meanwhile, our readers asked us to explain the differences between the MQ-1 Predator, MQ-1C Sky Warrior, and MQ-9 Reaper. DID is happy to oblige.
Recent news includes deferral of radar capability, in order to get the UAVs into theater quicker, followed by an emergency buy…
- The MQ-1C Sky Warrior, and its Band of Brothers
- The Army’s Sky Warrior Program
- ER/MP UAS – Enter the Warrior: Contracts & Key Events [updated]
- Appendix A: US Army et. al. vs. USAF Over UAVs
- Appendix B: Additional Readings – Who Controls the UAVs?
- Appendix C: Additional Readings
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- Comprehensive tracking of contracts and awards to General Atomics, AAI Corporation, L-3 Com, SPART and Thielert
- Coverage of the fraud investigation and severe financial troubles involving engine supplier Thielert, who produce the heavy-fuel engine
- Background on the US Army and Air Force power struggle for control of the UAV system, and the progress towards its resolution
- Insight on increased demand: "As of September 2007, MQ-1 Predator UAVs had reached 300,000 flight hours since inception around 2001, of which 80% were combat flight."
- From wingspan to weapons payload, the MQ-1C Sky Warrior, MQ-1 Predator, MQ-1C Sky Warrior and MQ-9 Reaper are detailed
- 9 photos, and Appendices A-C of additional resources tracking the UAV program
DII readers have access to more facts and the archive of DII articles on the Warrior ER/MP. Subscribe for access to this in-depth collection of news, events and resources.
