GA-ASI P46 MQ-20 Avenger (Predator C)

In the newest AW&ST, it looks like, that General Atomics will mount a 150 kw laser system on their Avenger UAV.
General Atomics (GA) has completed laboratory tests of what it calls its “third-generation laser system,” saying that the weapon sets new standards in efficiency, beam quality and system weight. According to an industry source, the company says the new laser will deliver 150 kw of energy, with three times higher beam quality than the Laser Weapon System (LaWS) now being tested by the U.S. Navy on the amphibious warfare ship Ponce, and will be able to fire 10 shots between [...]
Link: http://aviationweek.com/defense/general-atomics-claims-laser-weapon-advance
I haven't seen or read the full article so far. So if I am wrong, I will change this post. :)


Edit:
Larger picture attached.
 
Hmmm. I wonder if this is part of the reason UCLASS is so up in the air right now. On the one hand you have the strike-oriented X-47B but this thing, assuming it works as advertised, might be useful for fleet defense against antiship missiles (maybe). Since it's almost a given they can't afford both, maybe these are the kinds of things they're weighing?
 
sferrin said:
Hmmm. I wonder if this is part of the reason UCLASS is so up in the air right now. On the one hand you have the strike-oriented X-47B but this thing, assuming it works as advertised, might be useful for fleet defense against antiship missiles (maybe). Since it's almost a given they can't afford both, maybe these are the kinds of things they're weighing?

I cross posted this earlier under the Solid State Laser thread with the comment - NGB will have defensive DEW??
 
I doubt that this is consiered a viable area defense system. This laser is still quite a ways off from the Navy's desired target of 1MW for a shipboard laser capable of full defense against ASCMs and TBMs. Perhaps an airborne system might do with a bit less, but 150 kW is really just a more robust UAV killer.

screenshot-fas.org%2B2014-11-16%2B10-15-16.png
 
TomS said:
I doubt that this is consiered a viable area defense system. This laser is still quite a ways off from the Navy's desired target of 1MW for a shipboard laser capable of full defense against ASCMs and TBMs. Perhaps an airborne system might do with a bit less, but 150 kW is really just a more robust UAV killer.

screenshot-fas.org%2B2014-11-16%2B10-15-16.png

150Kw what about anti (anti-air) hitting an AAM at 50k feet say from the belly of the NGB?
 
Don't get much of this at 30,000 feet, do you?
 

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TomS said:
I doubt that this is consiered a viable area defense system. This laser is still quite a ways off from the Navy's desired target of 1MW for a shipboard laser capable of full defense against ASCMs and TBMs. Perhaps an airborne system might do with a bit less, but 150 kW is really just a more robust UAV killer.
150kw has a lot of potential for defeating the IR seeker on incoming missiles, and messing around with other threats.
 
Yes, but ASCMs are still primarily radar guided, which means fleet defense needs a laser powerful enough to cause airframe damage, not just EO blinding. The tech just isn't quite there. Building a megawatt laser on a ship is much easier than packing one onto an aircraft.
 
ASCM defense is a different kettle of fish from SAM/AAM defense. Not being so fast, and operating in a high Q environment, the weapons are heavier and tougher. The ship is big and slow and may be hit even if the ASCM has been damaged and is out of control. And then there is rain, humidity, spray (none of which impede the ASCM). So yes, I can see where ship defense vs. ASCM would need a MW laser but air-to-air could need much less.
 
For a UAV supposedly dead-ended as a prototype they sure do like integrating new devices onto it. Rather odd that. ;)

General Atomics 'Avenger' trials UTAS MS-177

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/general-atomics-avenger-trials-utas-ms-177-sensor-424325/
 
Flyaway said:
For a UAV supposedly dead-ended as a prototype they sure do like integrating new devices onto it. Rather odd that. ;)

Make sense to me -- they're not tying up an air vehicle that is needed for other flight test projects.
 
TomS said:
Flyaway said:
For a UAV supposedly dead-ended as a prototype they sure do like integrating new devices onto it. Rather odd that. ;)

Make sense to me -- they're not tying up an air vehicle that is needed for other flight test projects.

Perhaps it would be a good fit for the UK's Protector requirement?
 
Improved Avenger Adapted to Carry Strategic Recce Sensors

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) will begin flight testing of an Improved Avenger in October 2016. This enhanced version of the semi-stealthy drone will enhance the Avenger’s capabilities on long endurance intelligence gathering missions carrying the new MS-177 Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensor recently demonstrated in flight. With an increased wingspan of 23 meters (76 feet), the improved Avenger will extend the aircraft’s endurance from 15 hours to 20 hours, thus increasing the utility of this strategic reconnaissance collector over a longer period and extended range.

http://defense-update.com/20160620_avenger_with_ms117.html
 
General Atomics flies extended-range Avenger

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has announced completing first flight of an extended range Predator C Avenger on 27 October, which features wings extended by 3.2m to 23.2m (76ft).

The extended-range variant of the jet-powered Avenger has kept its 13.4m (44ft)-long fuselage and 1,360kg (3,000lb) payload bay, but GA-ASI also added about 1,000kg of fuel, extending the platform’s endurance from 15h to 20h.

Although the Avenger has completed more than 13,000 flight hours, no US service has acknowledged the aircraft as a programme of record.

GA-ASI developed the armed reconnaissance platform with internal research and development funds and demonstrated first flight in 2009. The USAF has purchased one Avenger as a technology demonstrator, though it’s also believed the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operates the aircraft as well.

Meanwhile, GA-ASI is investing IRAD funds into the power, thermal management, beam control and beam director for a high energy laser weapon compatible with the Avenger. The company could begin integrating the laser package onto the platform by 2017.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/general-atomics-flies-extended-range-avenger-431398/
 
Avenger C Prospects Brighten With Potential International Deal

POWAY, California—General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) is in the early stages of negotiating the potential sale of as many as 90 Predator C Avenger remotely piloted aircraft to an unidentified international ...

http://m.aviationweek.com/defense/avenger-c-prospects-brighten-potential-international-deal
 
Who has the need, the cash and the clearances to buy this many jet powered stealthy drones?

Israel, the Saudi's, Ernst Stavro blofeld?
 
Wasn't India supposed to be interested?

https://swarajyamag.com/insta/india-set-to-acquire-100-armed-avenger-drones-from-the-us
 
mrmalaya said:
Wasn't India supposed to be interested?

https://swarajyamag.com/insta/india-set-to-acquire-100-armed-avenger-drones-from-the-us
Plus these?

http://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2017/08/18/drone_sale_would_cement_us-india_ties_112083.html
 
More on the story here.

As General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) discloses the pursuit of a potential sale of 90 jet-powered Predator C Avengers to an undisclosed international customer, company executives are pushing the US government to clarify and relax export controls on unmanned air vehicles to non-NATO allies.

The potential deal could be a breakthrough for the slow-burning Avenger programme, which until now, only acknowledged the US Air Force operated a technology demonstrator since a public unveiling in 2009. This week, GA-ASI officials disclosed up to seven aircraft deliveries to an unnamed US government agency.

But GA-ASI now faces potential barriers imposed by the international missile technology control regime (MTCR) agreement.

UAVs such as Avenger fall under MTCR’s Category I regulations, which are rarely licensed for export. In 2015, the Obama Administration adopted a policy that tightened export policy on UAVs to most non-NATO allies. The policy also required importers of American-built UAVs to comply with end-use monitoring by the US government as a condition of any sale.

As the Trump administration considers setting new MTCR export policies, GA-ASI chief executive Linden Blue urges the White House to make short-term changes, such as relaxing State Department-imposed policies on UAV exports.

“That allows the executive branch to use judgment on MTCR-related decisions,” he says. “Changing the MTCR, which is not a formal treaty, that will take longer and involve many countries.”

Speaking on the possible international sale, GA-ASI president David Alexander touted the Avenger’s large sensor bay, which could carry a system equal in size to the United Technologies Aerospace Systems MS-177 multi-spectral sensor. GA-ASI’s main rival in the high performance UAV arena, Northrop Grumman, is testing the MS-177 on the RQ-4 to help bring the Global Hawk to parity with the USAF’s legacy U-2S Dragon Lady high-altitude manned reconnaissance aircraft.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ga-asi-chasing-avenger-sale-to-international-custome-440385/
 
Avenger is slow burning for a reason. It appears to be more expensive and worse than Reaper, apart from being a bit faster, which probably has minimal impact on operational capability. Seems quite niche.

That said, you can probably sell it to some countires on the sole basis that it looks stealthy.
 
nah...
Too good, too far, too early.
Generally a LM'Skunk Works syndrome* ;)

*Quick quick, a double shot of Airbus green matter!
 
red admiral said:
Avenger is slow burning for a reason. It appears to be more expensive and worse than Reaper, apart from being a bit faster, which probably has minimal impact on operational capability. Seems quite niche.

That said, you can probably sell it to some countires on the sole basis that it looks stealthy.

Well it looks like one of the alphabet agencies in the US has invested in it, in case you missed the sale of 7 to an unnamed US government customer and the obviously think it's good enough.
 
Flyaway said:
Well it looks like one of the alphabet agencies in the US has invested in it, in case you missed the sale of 7 to an unnamed US government customer and the obviously think it's good enough.

Like I said, "niche". Much like the "stealth" Blackhawk.
 
The Avenger is a large jet powered UAV. It cruises much faster and doesn't probably have the same flight domain as the MQ1 Predator, a piston powered, lighter weights and smaller UAV. Training and logistical burden would be greatly impacted by a large scale service introduction at a time when the MQ1 iterations and the larger MQ9 still fulfill the needs.

The Avenger is not a niche. It's the future. GA is amassing a valuable experience deploying it and sustaining even a small fleet. When the market will be ready for the switch to jet powered stealthy UAV (not an unrealistic foresight), GA will be in position to offer the leanest offer centered around one of the most efficient and refined design.
 
More tube and wing throwback to WWI. No stealth no high dynamice maneuver so no class.
 
View: https://twitter.com/GenAtomics_ASI/status/1425518652103725063

 

SAN DIEGO – 10 January 2022 – On November 18, 2021, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) used two company-owned Avenger® Unmanned Aircraft Systems, each equipped with a Lockheed Martin Legion Pod®, to send long-range air threat data captured passively and fused by an advanced sensor algorithm to a Command Center.

“This first-time, industry-funded flight test demonstrates the maturing capabilities of UAS platforms and sensors to deliver fused sensor data,” said GA-ASI Senior Director of Advanced Programs Michael Atwood. “Avenger with Legion Pod demonstrates how collaborative autonomous platforms with advanced sensing can deliver persistent, shared air domain awareness.”

In the two-hour flight, the Avengers flew over the high desert of southern California. During the flight, Legion Pod’s IRST21® infrared search and track system detected multiple fast-moving aircraft operating in the area. On-pod Lockheed Martin fusion software blended the sensor data from both pods in real time and the Avengers streamed it to the ground station.

“This is the first time IRST systems on multiple autonomous aircraft have delivered merged air threat data to users on the ground,” said Scott Roberson, director of Sensors and Global Sustainment Advanced Programs at Lockheed Martin. “It’s a big step in developing a common operating picture that boosts situational awareness across domains in joint operations.”
 

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