MQ-1 Predator (7f6e5d4c-3b2a-1c0d-9e8f-7a6b5c4d3e2f)
The General Atomics MQ‑1 Predator is a medium‑altitude, long‑endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle designed for persistent ISR and precision strike missions. Powered by a Rotax turbo‑charged piston engine, it can loiter for up to 24 hours while carrying a 200 kg payload that includes two AGM‑114 Hellfire missiles or air‑to‑air Stinger rockets. First fielded in 1995, the Predator provided real‑time imagery, infrared and synthetic‑aperture radar reconnaissance for the U.S. Air Force, CIA, and allied forces, and was later upgraded to an armed platform for close‑air support and target elimination. Retired from U.S. service in 2018, it remains operational with several partner nations and forms the basis for the newer MQ‑9 Reaper and MQ‑1C Gray Eagle variants.