UAV · MALE armed reconnaissance UAV/UCAV
MQ-1C Gray Eagle
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems · USA
The General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle is an upgraded Predator-derived MALE UAV for the US Army with increased payload, endurance and a heavy-fuel engine. Armed with Hellfire missiles.
| Country | USA |
|---|---|
| Subcategory | Fixed-wing |
| Price | ~$21.5 million (system) |
| Subtype | MALE armed reconnaissance UAV/UCAV |
| Role | Army armed ISR / strike |
| Classification | MALE UCAV |
| Mission | ISR, armed reconnaissance, strike, communications relay |
| Datalink | Ku-band SATCOM, C-band LOS |
| Variants | MQ-1C ER; Gray Eagle 25M |
| MTOW (kg) | 1633 |
| Operators | US Army |
| Frame type | Fixed-wing |
| Length (m) | 8.5 |
| Propulsion | Thielert Centurion 1.7 heavy-fuel engine (165 hp) |
| Range (km) | 400 |
| Wingspan (m) | 17 |
| Combat-proven | Yes |
| Export status | Limited export |
| Launch method | runway takeoff |
| Autonomy level | Remotely piloted |
| Endurance (min) | 1620 |
| Recovery method | runway landing |
| Year introduced | 2009 |
| Max payload (kg) | 488 |
| Max speed (km/h) | 309 |
| Standard sensors | EO/IR, SAR/GMTI, SIGINT, laser designator |
| Production status | In service |
| Notable engagements | Army strike/ISR operations |
| Service ceiling (m) | 8839 |
| Conflicts deployed in | Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria |
| Airframe / lift type | Fixed-wing |
| Control / autonomy level | RC line-of-sight – BVLOS |
| Domain | Aerial (UAV/UAS) |
| Mission / use case – military | Armed UCAV, Comms relay, ISR |
| Origin / supply chain | Military-grade |
| Propulsion | ICE – heavy fuel |
| Range / endurance | Long endurance (>24 hrs) |
| Signature / detectability | RCS – large, RF-emitting |
| Speed regime | High (150–400 km/h) |
| Strike depth / operational role | Mothership / relay (carrier drone launching FPVs or extending link range), Recon-strike complex (ISR + strike paired, e.g. Mavic + FPV, Orlan + Lancet) |
| Threat vector | Surveillance / reconnaissance |
| Weight / class | Class III – Strike / Combat (>600 kg), FAA >25 kg (Part 137 / waiver) |
In the news 11
U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence Wants Recon Drones With Multiple SensorsSikorsky Plans to Introduce ‘Fast Pack’ Feature for Nomad 100sArizona To Become First Gray Eagle(r) Company in the ARNGHanwha, General Atomics test runway-free drone in South KoreaGA-ASI and Tactical Air Support Showcase How Passive Sensing and Semi-Autonomous Aircraft Close Kill Chains Versus AdversariesItaly Orders Two More MQ-9A Block 5 ReapersGA-ASI and Fujitsu Sign MOU for the Maintenance and Operation of UAS in JapanSikorsky Nomad 100 Clears First DARPA EVADE Flight TestsSikorsky’s unique rotor-blown drone completes first flight testMQ-9B and Gambit Series: Advancing European Defense CapabilitiesPocket Fleet Of Unseen MQ-1 Predators Still Flying In Specialized Role
From uav360.xyz, the xSonomy news feed. Headlines link to the original publisher.
Review-stage catalogue data — specs corroborated from manufacturer and secondary sources; not for procurement decisions. Source: www.ga-asi.com