The MQ-1's capabilities make it uniquely qualified to conduct irregular warfare operations in support of combatant commander objectives. The Predator is part of a remotely piloted aircraft system.

Initially, the U.S. launched drones only for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), but with the arming of the ...

(Senior Airman Haley Stevens/U.S. Air Force) Accepted in 2002 and promptly deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq, the armed Predator was designated the MQ-1 (multirole drone). On Dec. 23, 2002 ...

The General Atomics MQ-1 Predator is an ... The USAF describes the Predator as a "Tier II" MALE UAS (medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft system). The UAS consists of four aircraft ...

It was developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, based on the MQ-1 Predator, primarily for the U.S. Air Force. The drone's turboprop ... optical targeting system, and laser rangefinders ...