General Atomics’ (GA-ASI’s) jet powered Predator C Avenger II is “exceeding expectations” in flight testing according to company president, Aircraft Systems Group, Frank Pace.
Briefing media at the Farnborough Airshow, Pace said “The test program for Avenger is proceeding along very well, with some results exceeding our expectations. Our company goal has always been to deliver extremely capable unmanned aircraft that are ready for near-term customer use, and Avenger is on-track to continue in this tradition.”
The single flying Predator C will be joined early next year by two more test examples, both of which will feature a 90cm fuselage stretch.
GA-ASI has proposed developing two versions of the Predator C; one of which will be suitable for contested airspace where there is some opposition but air superiority is generally guaranteed, and a “survivable” version with very low observable treatments for operations in hostile airspace.