США MQ-1B Predator

[Дмитрий Шаповалов (Velocity)]

MQ-1B Predator

The versatility of both the MQ-1B Predator unmanned aerial vehicle and Special Operations Forces illustrates the importance of developing and maintaining collective knowledge, technological relevance, and doctrinal adaptability in an ever-changing GWOT environment. The "M" is the Department of Defense designation for multi-role and "Q" means unmanned aircraft system. The "1" refers to the aircraft being the first of a series of purpose-built remotely piloted aircraft systems.

The Predator system was designed in response to a Department of Defense requirement to provide persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information to the warfighter. In April 1996, the secretary of defense selected the U.S. Air Force as the operating service for the RQ-1 Predator system. A change in designation from "RQ-1" to "MQ-1" occurred in 2002 with the addition of the armed reconnaissance role.

Features
The MQ-1 Predator is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The MQ-1's primary mission is interdiction and conducting armed reconnaissance against critical, perishable targets. When the MQ-1 is not actively pursuing its primary mission, it acts as the Joint Forces Air Component Commander-owned theater asset for reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition in support of the Joint Forces commander.

The MQ-1 Predator is a system, not just an aircraft. A fully operational system consists of four aircraft (with sensors), a ground control station, a Predator Primary Satellite Link, and approximately 55 personnel for deployed 24-hour operations. The basic crew for the Predator is one pilot and two sensor operators. They fly the aircraft from inside the ground control station via a line-of-sight data link or a satellite data link for beyond line-of-sight flight. The aircraft is equipped with a color nose camera (generally used by the pilot for flight control), a day variable-aperture TV camera, a variable-aperture infrared camera (for low light/night), and a synthetic aperture radar for looking through smoke, clouds or haze. The cameras produce full motion video while the SAR produces still frame radar images.

The MQ-1 Predator carries the Multi-spectral Targeting System with inherent AGM-114 Hellfire missile targeting capability and integrates electro-optical, infrared, laser designator and laser illuminator into a single sensor package. The aircraft can employ two laser-guided Hellfire anti-tank missiles with the MTS ball.

The system is composed of four major components which can be deployed for worldwide operations. The Predator aircraft can be disassembled and loaded into a "coffin." The ground control system is transportable in a C-130 (or larger) transport aircraft. The Predator can operate on a 5,000 by 75 feet (1,524 meters by 23 meters), hard surface runway with clear line-of-sight. The ground data terminal antenna provides line-of-sight communications for takeoff and landing. The PPSL provides over-the-horizon communications for the aircraft. An alternate method of employment, Remote Split Operations, employs a smaller version of the GCS called the Launch and Recovery GCS. The LRGCS conducts takeoff and landing operations at the forward deployed location while the CONUS based GCS conducts the mission via extended communications links.

The aircraft includes an ARC-210 radio, an APX-100 IFF/SIF with Mode 4, an upgraded turbo-charged engine and glycol-weeping "wet wings" for ice mitigation. The latest upgrade includes fuel injection, longer wings, dual alternators and other improvements.

 

[Дмитрий Шаповалов (Velocity)]

MQ-1B Predator Operations

A U.S. Air Force MQ-1 Predator found and destroyed a radar-guided anti-aircraft artillery piece in southern Iraq 22 March 2003 at 5:25 p.m. Eastern time making it the first Predator strike of Operation Iraqi Freedom, defense officials announced. The multi-role Predator used one AGM-114K "Hellfire II" missile to strike an Iraqi ZSU-23-4 Mobile anti-aircraft artillery gun outside the southern Iraqi town of Al Amarah.

An MQ-1B Predator unmanned aerial vehicle based at Balad AB Iraq engaged three anti-Iraqi forces in the process of placing an improvised explosive device along a road near Balad Air Base Monday night, 29 March 2004. The Predator launched an AGM-114 Hellfire missile against the group. The Predator monitored the three individuals for about half an hour while they used a pick ax to dig a hole in the road, placed an explosive round in the hole and strung wires from the hole to a ditch on the side of the road. When it was clear the individuals were placing an IED, the Predator launched the 105-pound Hellfire missile, resulting in the deaths of all three insurgents.“This is a prime example of how airpower is supporting the fight on the ground,” said Brig. Gen. Frank Gorenc, 332d Air Expeditionary Wing commander. “We’re able to provide a persistent view of the battlefield to commanders on the ground, and if called upon, put a weapon on a target within minutes.”

Using joint Army and Air Force trend analysis and past incident reporting from the area, the Predator was assigned to monitor the general location where the insurgents were ultimately found. “Based on the information we had available, we had a pretty good idea there might be some activity in the area, and we were right,” said General Gorenc. “This strike should send a message to our enemies that we’re watching you, and we will take action against you any time, day or night, if you continue to stand in the way of progress in Iraq.”

The MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system continues to build its reputation as an increasingly high-demand, lethal asset in counterinsurgency operations, achieving a monthly record of 4,700 flying hours in July 2005. The July milestone adds to the more than 103,000 total combat hours that ACC had flown the Predator unmanned system in global operations since 9-11. In October 2005 it was announced that the Air Combat Command (ACC) was in the process of determing the acquistion strategy for a potential requirement to continue operations and maintenance (O&M) services of the Predator UAV MQ-1 program at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada as well as at deployed sites worldwide. The contract [FA4890-06-R-0004] performance period would commence in March 2007 with the anticipation of a five (5) year effort.

The contractor would provide all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision, and services necessary to perform Predator organizational maintenance for: aircraft, Ground Control Stations (GCS), and Predator Primary Satellite Links (PPSL). The contractor will be responsible for program management and providing support, following the basic requirements of AFI 21-101 whose tasks include, but are not limited to: maintaining equipment in accordance with approved AF technical data, quality assurance, maintaining qualifications/certifications for weapons loading, parts/supplies ordering and accountability, and developing flying and maintenance schedules. The mission of the Predator is to be a multi-role Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) capable of reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, killer scout, forward air controller, and combat search and rescue support missions. The principle place of performance is Creech Air Force Base, Nevada as well as various worldwide locations.

An orbit is defined as the total effort (aircraft and personnel) required to generate and sustain a combat capable aircraft in the air 24 hours a day, continuously as dictated by the mission requirements. The historical average over the last six months of 2005 was 536 hours per contracted orbit, however the contractor shall provide necessary support to be able to sustain a monthly flying effort of 720 flying hours per month. On rare occassions the orbit requirement may surge and exceed 720 hours per month.

As of mid-2006 base year deployments were projected to total eleven orbits, four of which are stand alone orbits. Remaining orbits will collocate to maximum extend possible in support of theater requirements, but anticipate four separate operating locations. MQ-1 Predator had become the Air Force’s premier weapon system in support of these operations, exceeding the expectations of our warfighters. Especially noteworthy is the continuous support of ten 24/7/365 combat orbits by March 2007.

 

[Дмитрий Шаповалов (Velocity)]

MQ-1B Predator Losses

Crew error was the primary cause of an MQ-1L Predator remotely piloted aircraft crash during a training mission 22 September 2004 at Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field, Nev., according to an Air Force report. The mishap pilot failed to correct a high flare maneuver in time to prevent a hard landing, causing more than $2.8 million in structural damage to the aircraft, which was assigned to the 11th Reconnaissance Squadron. There were no injuries, fatalities or damage to other property.

Five significant factors that contributed to the crash included the pilots failure to correct an unstable final approach, the mishap sensor operators failure to provide corrective calls for excessive airspeed and vertical speed deviations, wind shear that caused the aircraft to lose airspeed late in the flare maneuver, the pilots failure to reduce power to keep the aircraft on the runway, and the Predators lack of sensory cues effecting the pilots decision to attempt a go-around.

Pilot error caused the Nov. 24, 2004 crash of an MQ-1L Predator unmanned aerial vehicle in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility according to an aircraft investigation board report. During a functional check-flight the Predator had a navigation system malfunction, resulting in the pilot deciding to immediately land the aircraft. During the landing sequence, the pilot failed to disengage the airspeed hold, as dictated by the landing checklist, resulting in the aircraft not being properly configured to land. The Predator, assigned to the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., impacted the ground short of the runway and was destroyed on impact. No one was injured in the incident. The investigation determined the navigation system malfunction, while a distraction, did not preclude the aircraft being landed safely.

The total loss of all control of an MQ-1L Predator remotely piloted aircraft caused it to run out of fuel and crash 14 January 2005 at a forward location in Southwest Asia, according to an Accident Investigation Board report released by Air Combat Command. The $3.5 million Predator, which belonged to the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., was destroyed upon impact. There were no injuries, fatalities or damages to other property or equipment.

The incident occurred when the pilot and sensor operators control stations experienced a malfunction with their computer control system. Both control stations were rebooted, but all communication links with the aircraft were lost and never regained. The incident happened approximately eight and a half hours into the mission, with the aircraft flying uncontrolled and crashing approximately 21 hours into the flig

Pilot error caused an MQ-1L Predator unmanned aerial vehicle to crash 20 March 2006 during a reconnaissance mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to the aircraft accident investigation report. There were no injuries in the incident and the aircraft crashed in an unpopulated area. Damage totaled approximately $4.3 million. The aircraft is assigned to the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

At the time of the incident, the pilot was flying the remotely piloted aircraft to a new reconnaissance mission location at an airspeed in excess of 110 knots. As a result of flying at this speed, the aircraft rapidly lost altitude, arriving at the new location approximately 2,000 feet below the required clearance altitude. The pilot mistakenly concluded this rapid loss of altitude was due to a control problem with the aircraft. In an attempt to correct the problem, the pilot turned off the stability augmentation system pitch and roll axes. This caused the aircraft to go into a steep dive, thereby losing its satellite communication link. Once the link was lost, the pilot was unable to regain control of the aircraft and it subsequently crashed. Investigators concluded failure to control the remotely piloted aircraft and the resulting crash were a direct result of the pilot's decision to turn off the aircraft's stability augmentation system pitch and roll axes.

Mechanical error caused an MQ-1L Predator aircraft to crash during a training mission at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, June 22, 2006, according to an aircraft accident investigation report. There were no injuries or fatalities from the accident. The aircraft was valued at $4,700,000. Other than the loss of the aircraft, no government property was damaged in the accident. The Predator was assigned to the 11th Reconnaissance Squadron at Creech Air Force Base.

The accident investigation board determined the primary cause of the accident was a rapid loss of engine oil due to a loose oil filter. The board could not determine the precise cause for the loose oil filter, but it was most likely due to an improperly installed oil filter. Additionally, the board found substantial evidence that an inadequately designed oil filter was a contributing factor in the mishap. The oil filter was not designed to lock in-place or with visible marks to help ensure proper installation.

Approximately five minutes into the training mission, the Predator experienced a rapid loss of engine oil followed by engine failure. The low altitude and loss of power prohibited the safe landing of the aircraft. The pilot controlling the aircraft elected to intentionally steer the Predator into a hill next to the runway to avoid injuring ground personnel or harming equipment.

Pilot error caused an MQ-1B Predator aircraft to crash during a training mission at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., Aug. 3, 2006, according to an aircraft accident investigation report. There were no injuries or fatalities from the accident. Damage to the aircraft totaled $1,436,765. Other than damage to the aircraft, there was no other government property loss. The Predator was assigned to the 11th Reconnaissance Squadron at Creech.

The accident investigation board determined that the pilot, a civilian contractor, inadvertently depressed an incorrect switch while attempting to retract the aircraft's landing gear. By pressing the incorrect switch, the pilot commanded the aircraft's engine to shut off while the mishap aircraft was approximately 500 feet above ground level. The pilot attempted to glide the aircraft back to the runway but the aircraft crashed slightly off the runway.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/mq-1b.htm