MQ-1C Sky Warrior
(click to view full)

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. MQ-1C Block 1 SkyWarrior UAVs have now begun flying and orders are coming in, even as the program’s engine supplier appears to be in very serious legal and financial trouble…

• The MQ-1C Sky Warrior, and its Band of Brothers [updated]
• The Army’s Sky Warrior Program [updated]
• 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

Get the rest of this story by signing up for the Defense Industry Insider - the military acquisition knowledge base that's updated daily. Your choice of monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription starting from less than $46 per month.

• Follow the 80/20 rule and save time
• Don't miss important facts
• Get the big picture, quickly
• Eliminate your blindspots
• Stay on top of new and forthcoming events

• Ability to conduct complex searches
• Procurement and doctrine issues
• Timeline of past and future program events
• Links to other useful resources
• Instant content access after payment

"Well written, interesting daily with information not readily available elsewhere...! You handle it with aplomb!" - a defense contractor CEO

Already a member? Login

Login to your DII account

Email
Password
Remember me
Lost your password?