The administration of US President Joe Biden plans to sell to Ukraine four MQ-1C Gray Eagle combat drones equipped with Hellfire missiles.
MQ-1C Gray Eagle is an American reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufactured by General Atomics.
The first flight took place in 2004. It is in service with the US Armed Forces. Actively used in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Equipped with the NERO system, MQ-1C Gray Eagle drones can perform electronic warfare operations lasting three times longer than manned aircraft. In addition, the use of UAVs allows once again not to risk the lives of pilots.
Using the NERO system along with Ceasar provides effective support for ground units from the air. Both systems are capable of jamming enemy radio-electronic objects out of sight.
The MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAV develops a speed of up to 250 km / h and can stay in the air for up to 30 hours. The UAV can carry AGM-114 Hellfire, AIM-92 Stinger or GBU-44 / B Viper Strike bombs at four points of the UAV’s suspension.
In July 2012, the U.S. Army ordered a $ 410 million Gray Eagle UAV from General Atomics. In total, the U.S. military uses more than 60 Gray Eagle drones.
The cost of one Gray Eagle complex, which includes four drones and control systems, in 2011 was about $ 90 million.
Tactical and technical characteristics:
length: 8 m
wingspan: 17 m
maximum take-off weight: 1,450 kg
maximum speed: 250 km / h
flight duration: 30 hours
practical ceiling: 8 850 m.