Research edition · 08 Nov 2026
MQ-1 Predator
MQ-1 Predator is General Atomics’ reconnaissance and strike aircraft, retired from US Air Force inventory in 2018. This page describes MQ-1B using the preserved USAF fact sheet. MQ-1C Gray Eagle and MQ-9 Reaper are separate aircraft; their figures do not describe Predator.[1][2]
Archived research edition. Archive statistics and new dossiers are available on the current profile.
Current profile ↗Sourced dimensions are listed; no scaled drawing is provided for this configuration.
The numbers, with their sources
Intervals preserve the published bounds; they are not statistical confidence intervals. A blank lower or upper bound stays open. Values belong to the named configuration, not every aircraft.
Body length | 8.22 m[1] |
|---|---|
Wingspan | 16.8 m[1] |
Take-off mass | 512 kg[1] 1020 kg[1] |
Published speed · knots | ≈ 70 kt[1] |
Published flight range | ≤ 1239.2 km[1] |
Endurance | Not publicly established |
Payload | 204 kg[1] |
Reported speed | ≤ 217.3 km/h[1] |
Engine / propulsion | Rotax 914F[1] |
Guidance / control link | A remote pilot and sensor operator use line-of-sight or satellite data links.[1] |
First flight / first reported use | USAF lists MQ-1B initial operational capability in March 2005, not the family’s first flight.[1] |
Manufacturer | General Atomics Aeronautical Systems[1] |
Operators | US Air Force, formerly. The reviewed sources do not establish other operators’ present status.[2] |
Service status | Retired from USAF inventory on 9 March 2018.[2] |
Same-class research profiles · published range, km · open bounds remain open
Family & configurations
MQ-1 Predator
No sourced family relationship recorded in this edition. Similar roles do not establish a common design.
What does it cost?
Published USD figures use different price bases and years. Airframes, export packages and support are not equivalent. These are not current offers or verified production costs.
Unknown in reviewed sources
Source notebook
- US Air Force via US Government Publishing Office · MQ-1B Predator fact sheet, preserved government publication
Publication date not stated · Source consulted: 08 Nov 2026 · Official report; not an independent test
- US Air Combat Command · AF DCGS says goodbye to an old friend
23 Mar 2018 · Source consulted: 08 Nov 2026 · Official report; not an independent test
Consulted via search index; direct page unavailable
DroneLedger · MQ-1 Predator · 2026-11-08 ·