General Atomics Aeronautical Systems announces new endurance options for unmanned aircraft systems

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., a leading manufacturer of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), tactical reconnaissance radars and electro-optic surveillance systems, announced the near-term availability of two extended endurance options for its Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper fleet. The results of GA-ASI’s recent Endurance Enhancement Study, which was completed on Internal Research and Development funds, propose two different field installable kits that extend endurance without costly depot aircraft modifications: Option 1 optimizes the aircraft for Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, adding two fuel pods to its existing 66 ft wings and heavy-weight landing gear, increasing endurance from 27 hours to 37 hours, and option 2 optimizes the aircraft for multi-purpose missions, replacing its current 66 ft wings with 88 ft wings, and adding two fuel pods and heavy-weight landing gear, increasing  endurance from 27 hours to 42 hours for ISR-only.