U.S. targets big foreign Avenger drone deal

U.S. defence contractor General Atomics is pursuing the potential sale of up to 90 Predator C Avenger unmanned aircraft to a foreign buyer, with India believed to be the most likely prospective customer

PREDATOR C AVENGER ER: Extended range variant first flown in 2016 
Engine: Pratt & Whitney PW545B turbofan, 21.3kN thrust

Hump-backed design: Offers room for S-shaped exhaust to eliminate radar observation of engine

Lynx Multi-mode Radar For target detection up to range of 80km

V-tail Deflects radar and shields engine’s infrared signature

Payload: Internal bay and six external hardpoints for weapons, fuel or sensors

EO/IR* sensor turret Captures high-resolution imagery and video


PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

Avenger ER
Wings: Swept 17° for higher airspeed
13.4m
23m
Outer wings fold for storage in hangar

MQ-9 Reaper (Predator B) U.S. Air Force’s main unmanned strike aircraft
11m
20m
Engine Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop, 671 kW (900hp)

 8,255kg    Maximum gross takeoff weight   4,763kg 
4,580kg    Fuel capacity                  1,769kg
2,948kg    Payload capacity               1,747kg
740km/h    Maximum speed                  445km/h
20 hours   Endurance                      27 hours 

Sources: General Atomics, Aviation Week, Kable       *Electro-optical and infrared

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