GA-ASI Predator B variant to comply with NATO airworthiness standards
NewsJune 27, 2013
SAN DIEGO. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) is undertaking an Independent Research And Development (IRAD) effort to produce a variant of the Predator B Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) that complies with the airworthiness requirements of the U.S. Air Force and other anticipated NATO customers. The UAS will be a multinational certifiable platform based on the Block 5 Predator B and Advanced Cockpit Ground Control Station (GCS), and featuring enhanced capabilities for integration into domestic and international airspace.
GA-ASI will collaborate with German partner RUAG Aerospace Services GmbH on defining long-term solutions to meet NATO airworthiness Standardization Agreements (STANAGs) and British Defense Standardizations (DEFSTANs). RUAG will provide technical assistance in analyzing, decomposing, and managing the airworthiness requirements of the Predator B variant.
“Predator B is the most cost-effective and best-valued RPA in its class and continues to draw significant interest from our NATO allies,” says Neal Blue, Chairman and CEO of GA-ASI. “It is imperative that we ensure airworthiness certification of Predator B both at home and abroad as coalition forces withdraw from Afghanistan and nations transition mission focus to protection of the homeland and other civil uses.”
