General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI), a leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems solutions, and SENER, a leading Spanish engineering company, announced that they have signed a teaming agreement that promotes the use of the multi-mission Predator B® RPA to support Spain’s airborne surveillance and reconnaissance requirements.

The partnership of GA-ASI and SENER offers combined expertise in support of the Predator B program for Spain. Operationally proven with over one million flight hours, GA-ASI’s Predator B provides unmatched persistent situational awareness, safeguarding borders and maritime approaches, supporting military missions worldwide, and saving lives in areas that have been afflicted by natural disasters.

SENER will leverage its proven engineering experience to optimize and synergize Predator B data collection in support of the customer. The team will create high-technology jobs in the rapidly growing field of RPA for the people of Spain.

Designated as MQ-9 Reaper™ by its U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force customers, the turboprop-powered, multi-mission Predator B Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) was developed with GA-ASI funding and provides significantly greater capabilities than Predator. 

First flown in 2001, Predator B is a highly sophisticated development built on the experience gained with GA-ASI’s battle-proven Predator UAS and a major evolutionary leap in overall performance and reliability. 

Featuring unmatched operational flexibility, the multi-mission Predator B has an endurance of over 27 hours, speeds of 240 KTAS, can operate up to 50,000 feet, and has a 3,850 lb (1746 kg) payload capacity that includes 3,000 lb (1361 kg) of external stores.  Twice as fast as Predator, it carries 500% more payload and has nine times the horsepower.  Predator B provides a long-endurance, persistent surveillance/strike capability for the war fighter. 

Predator B is powered by the flight-certified and proven Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop engine, integrated with Digital Electronic Engine Control (DEEC), which significantly improves engine performance and fuel efficiency, particularly at low altitudes.

The Predator B multi-mission aircraft is highly modular and is easily configured with a variety of payloads to meet mission requirements.  Predator B is capable of carrying multiple mission payloads to include:  Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR), Lynx® Multi-mode Radar, multi-mode maritime surveillance radar, Electronic Support Measures (ESM), laser designators, and various weapons packages. 

This aircraft has been acquired by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), NASA, the Royal Air Force, the Italian Air Force, and soon others.