Detachment provides Development Test and Evaluation for Predator

Published Jan. 23, 2006
By Karl Lewis
Air Force Flight Test Center Public Affairs

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFMCNS) -- With the test pace increasing for the Predator A and B weapons system because of the war on terror, the 452nd Flight Test Squadron's expanding mission was recognized in a ceremony Jan. 12.

Detachment 1 actually began operation June 2005 and officially activated on Nov. 9. The ceremony was attended by members of Detachment 1 and members of the 452nd.

Located at the Gray Buttes-El Mirage test facility 20 miles southeast of Edwards, the detachment provides Development Test and Evaluation for the Predator A and B weapons system.

"Det one's DT&E is a new expansion of the 452nd's (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) flight test mission," said Lt. Col. Douglas Jaquish, 452nd Flight Test Squadron commander.

The detachment is a Combined Test Force composed of seven permanently assigned personnel, as well as people from the Predator Systems Squadron at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center's Detachment 5, the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron and contractors from General Atomics' Rancho Bernardo facility.

Predator is a remotely operated vehicle, flown by a pilot and sensor operator who can be hundreds of miles away.

"Predator is an offensive weapon from finding, tracking, engaging and assessing the target," Colonel Jaquish said.

The Predator A is an armed version of the RQ-1 Predator. The RQ-1 was originally designed as an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform. The Predator A can attack targets on the ground as well as reconnaissance. Predator A usually flies at 15,000 feet, but can go as high as 25,000 feet. It can stay airborne for more than 24 hours with a 450-pound payload.

Predator B is a larger, faster version of the Predator. It has been referred to as the Hunter-Killer. The 950-horsepower TP331-10 turboprop can propel the B at speeds up to 299 miles per hour. Weighing in at 10,000 pounds at takeoff, the B can carry 3,000 pounds of fuel and 3,000 pounds of air-to-surface weapons. It has a more powerful and upgraded radar system than the A, because the B is expected to operate as a strike platform. Without external stores Predator B can stay aloft for 32 hours at altitudes above 50,000 feet.

"The Predator is a multi-customer platform that is actively engaged in the Global War on Terrorism," Colonel Jaquish said.

Predators were engaged in Operation Allied Force over Kosovo in 1998. Since then, the Predator has been involved in operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"We are bringing new capabilities to the front lines every day, " said Major Bivetto, Detachment 1 commander.

Major Bivetto is a Global Hawk Pilot and is currently in training as a Predator A and B pilot.