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The New Era (Big Boys Toys).
Ground Control Station.
The GCS is housed in a 30ft X 8ft X 8ft commercial container and houses the pilot position,the payload operator position,a Data Exploition, Mission Planning and Communications (DEMPC) position where imagery is annotated and is initially exploited, and a SAR workstaion.
Predator Pack-up
Because the Predator is usally shown in flight it is difficult to estimate how large it is, (see spec above). It comes in its own container and is packed in its 6 primary parts for ease of packing and assembly.
Stage Two THE MQ-9 REAPER
39 Sqn Royal Air Force
Part 2
Part 2
Technicians working on after- flight inspections
Predator pilots S/Ldr Andy Bird & Fl/Lt Chris Bulteel
The RAF's first MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Britains most sophisticated unmanned surveillance system, has taken to the air in Afganistan. the Reaper capability is still being developed. training will continue alongside operational missionsand there will be a steady build
up to a full UK capability.
The MQ-9 is a larger andmore capable aircraft than the earlier MQ-1 Predator. It can use the
Mq-1s Ground systems. The MQ-9 has a 950-shaft-horsepower turboprop engine, far more powerful than the Predators 119-hp piston engine. the increase in power allows the Reaper to
carry 15 more times more ordnance and cruise at three times the speed of the MQ-1 predator.
The MQ-9 Reaper UVA is currantly unarmed, and MOD is investigating arming options.
The MQ-9 Reaper has an operational ceiling of 50,000ft, a maximum internal payload of 800lbs
and a external payload of over 3,000lbs. It can carry up to four Hellfire 11 anti-armour missiles
and two laser guided bombs (GBU-12 or EGBU-12) and 500lb GBU-38 JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition).
Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy Chief of Air Staff, said:"The introduction into the service of Reaper is a major milestone for the RAF, which will signifcantly enhance the UK's surveillance
and reconnaissance".
The first Reaper arrived in Afganistan early in October 2007, just 15 months after the initial was received.
Training of the Reaper Pilots and sensor operators will be provided by the USAF, building on the experience of No 1115 flight who will continue to operate Predator A but they will be part of 39 squadron for administration functions
The Reapers, priced at £8 million each, plus service costs, will be flown by remote control by
RAF "pilots" operating them via satellite from 7,000 miles away at the US Air Forces Nellis base
in Nevada. Ground Crews will service and maintain the aircraft at a base in Afganistan. Currant Operations appear to prefer using a forward deployed launch and recovery element(LRE)of
about 60 people, prepare and launch the aircraft prior to handing over control to the MOB (main operating Base) ISAFAF( Indian Springs Air Force Auxilliary Base, North West of Nellis Air Force base near Los Vagas Nevada, who actually fly the mission, befor handing control back to the
LER for actual landing . The Predator A needs a 5,000 X 125FT hard surface runway to take off
and land.
It has been annonced that the MOD have ordered another 10 MQ-9 Reapers making a total of 13 with the preditors this will make a full Squadron.
Our Best wishes go to all the crews and ground staff of 39 sqn
.
up to a full UK capability.
The MQ-9 is a larger andmore capable aircraft than the earlier MQ-1 Predator. It can use the
Mq-1s Ground systems. The MQ-9 has a 950-shaft-horsepower turboprop engine, far more powerful than the Predators 119-hp piston engine. the increase in power allows the Reaper to
carry 15 more times more ordnance and cruise at three times the speed of the MQ-1 predator.
The MQ-9 Reaper UVA is currantly unarmed, and MOD is investigating arming options.
The MQ-9 Reaper has an operational ceiling of 50,000ft, a maximum internal payload of 800lbs
and a external payload of over 3,000lbs. It can carry up to four Hellfire 11 anti-armour missiles
and two laser guided bombs (GBU-12 or EGBU-12) and 500lb GBU-38 JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition).
Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy Chief of Air Staff, said:"The introduction into the service of Reaper is a major milestone for the RAF, which will signifcantly enhance the UK's surveillance
and reconnaissance".
The first Reaper arrived in Afganistan early in October 2007, just 15 months after the initial was received.
Training of the Reaper Pilots and sensor operators will be provided by the USAF, building on the experience of No 1115 flight who will continue to operate Predator A but they will be part of 39 squadron for administration functions
The Reapers, priced at £8 million each, plus service costs, will be flown by remote control by
RAF "pilots" operating them via satellite from 7,000 miles away at the US Air Forces Nellis base
in Nevada. Ground Crews will service and maintain the aircraft at a base in Afganistan. Currant Operations appear to prefer using a forward deployed launch and recovery element(LRE)of
about 60 people, prepare and launch the aircraft prior to handing over control to the MOB (main operating Base) ISAFAF( Indian Springs Air Force Auxilliary Base, North West of Nellis Air Force base near Los Vagas Nevada, who actually fly the mission, befor handing control back to the
LER for actual landing . The Predator A needs a 5,000 X 125FT hard surface runway to take off
and land.
It has been annonced that the MOD have ordered another 10 MQ-9 Reapers making a total of 13 with the preditors this will make a full Squadron.
Our Best wishes go to all the crews and ground staff of 39 sqn
.
