General Atomics Grey Eagle again proves enhanced endurance capability: The Improved Grey Eagle prototype unmanned aerial system by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. has demonstrated its improved endurance.
During a second endurance flight test of the prototype for the U.S. Army, the aircraft flew 36.7 hours, compared to the 30-hour endurance of the unimproved model.
In October last year it flew more than 45 hours in a reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition configuration -- with no external payloads integrated, GA-ASI said.
"Improved Gray Eagle is a significant capability leap forward, providing for longer UAS endurance, enhanced payload carriage, and increased reliability", said Frank W. Pace, president, Aircraft Systems, GA-ASI. "We are pleased that this long-endurance flight was executed seamlessly, with all objectives met."
During the latest flight test of the IGE, the aircraft carried an external signals intelligence pod and two Hellfire missiles.
