Waiting for rejection. Ukraine wants MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAV

55

Ukraine does not abandon attempts to obtain American-made reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicles. Earlier it was reported about the negotiations on the supply of MQ-9 Reaper products, and now the Kiev regime is begging Drones MQ-1C Gray Eagle. However, the American side may refuse to transfer such equipment.

New Wishes


Earlier in April, it was reported that the Ukrainian delegation held talks with the American company General Atomics. The possibility of supplying various types of heavy reconnaissance and strike UAVs to Ukraine was discussed. First of all, the MQ-9 apparatus was mentioned in this context. The Ukrainian side showed enviable optimism, but it was not possible to get the desired equipment. However, now she is making a new attempt, albeit with more modest requests.



On April 27, the American publication Politico, citing its source in the Ukrainian military department, reported a new attempt to obtain a UAV. According to him, Ukraine sent the US leadership another list of desired weapons and equipment, and along with other products, it included MQ-1C drones, as well as AGM-114 Hellfire guided missiles for them.

The Ukrainian side is waiting for a positive response, which may be followed by the first deliveries. However, the American side is in no hurry to please Kyiv. Moreover, US officials decline to comment on the possibility of transferring heavy attack UAVs.


Politico recalls that the sale of reconnaissance and strike drones abroad is a complex topic in general. An export contract of this kind must be reviewed by the State Department and the Pentagon, which evaluate its benefits and risks. At the same time, the exported UAV is considered taking into account the conditions of the Missile Technology Control Regime. As a result, not all contracts are approved - even close partners are denied.

If Kyiv really sent Washington an official request for Gray Eagle products, it will have to go through all the assessments and other procedures. It is very likely that the regulatory authorities will not make an exception and will not approve the export of such UAVs. Accordingly, the current news won't get a sequel.

Desired product


General Atomics developed the MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAV in the early 1s, it was created as a deeply modernized version of the existing MQ-2004 Predator. During the update of the project, all the main functions were retained, but at the same time, the characteristics increased and new features appeared. In 1, the MQ-2009C took to the air for the first time, and in XNUMX it was put into service. The following year, combat use began in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Already in 2011, the UAV had to be modified due to the low reliability of some systems. Then a process of gradual modernization began in order to improve performance. Instruments and systems for various purposes were replaced, new devices were introduced. An Improved Gray Eagle or GE-ER drone has also been developed with improved flight data. The interaction of unmanned and manned aviation complexes.


Since the middle of the 200s, more than 1 serial MQ-180Cs have been built. The bulk of them, at least 24 units, came into the possession of the US Army Aviation. Another XNUMX products are available from the Special Operations Command. Foreign countries were not supplied with Gray Eagle, and several requests for purchase were rejected.

MQ-1Cs are deployed at a number of US air bases around the world and are actively used in different regions. First of all, drones work in hot spots and conduct reconnaissance, striking if necessary. The monthly flight time of the entire fleet in some periods reached 3-4 thousand hours.

Technical features


The MQ-1C UAV is based on the older Predator product and retains its main features. The fuselage of a small cross-section with a large nose fairing, a thin wing of high elongation and an L-shaped tail were retained. The wingspan is 17 m, length - 8,5 m. The empty unit weighs 1300 kg, the maximum takeoff weight does not exceed 1900 kg. Of these, 360 kg falls on the payload.

The Gray Eagle is powered by a 1.7 hp Thielert Centurion 165 piston engine. with push screw. With its help, the UAV develops a maximum speed of up to 310 km/h. The basic version of the drone carries 260 kg of fuel, which allows you to stay in the air for about a day. The upgraded GE-ER has internal tanks of 390 kg and can carry outboards of various capacities. Due to this, the flight duration reaches 42-50 hours.

To solve the problem of reconnaissance, the UAV is equipped with an optoelectronic "ball" of the AN / AAS-52 type under the forward fuselage. It was proposed to replace it with other samples. An AN / ZPY-1 STARLite synthetic aperture radar is placed in an enlarged nose fairing. Other instruments for reconnaissance and data collection were also developed.


Data from the monitoring equipment is transmitted in real time to the control station. Commands of various kinds come back. Communication means provide work at a distance of up to 400 km from it. There is also a satellite communication system that allows you to increase the distance between the operator and the UAV.

Under the wing of the MQ-1C, there are four external hardpoints. The UAV can carry up to four AGM-114 air-to-surface missiles or four GBU-44/B Viper Strike guided bombs. It is also possible to use up to 92 AIM-8 Stinger air-to-air missiles.

Ukrainian problems


In general, the MQ-1C Gray Eagle from General Atomics is a fairly successful UAV with extensive reconnaissance capabilities and some strike potential. Over the past 10-12 years, the US Air Force and SOF have been actively using all its functions and getting the desired results. At the same time, such equipment is not shared even with the closest allies - primarily because of the high level of characteristics.

After a recent failure to obtain larger MQ-9s, the Kyiv regime is trying to beg for other models of drones. However, it can be assumed that the request for the MQ-1C will also not be approved. A different outcome is unlikely, but it cannot be completely ruled out. At the same time, the supply of American equipment as a whole will not give Ukraine any advantages.

First of all, there are financial difficulties. General Atomics will not give away the equipment for free, and its purchase would be prohibitively expensive for the Kyiv regime or its backers. So, one MQ-1C UAV costs approx. $8 million. A complete complex with four drones, a control station and other components will cost $80-90 million. Whether such costs can be included in the Ukrainian budget or in foreign aid programs is a big question.


The next problem is preparation of operation. The Ukrainian army lacks specialists capable of operating American heavy UAVs and ensuring their operation. Their training will take at least several months, which is unacceptable in the current situation. Sending American specialists is excluded for political reasons and because of military risks.

Gray Eagle products in practice confirmed their capabilities and solved various problems. However, they have so far had to work only in the absence of a developed enemy air defense. An attempt to use such technology in Ukraine will have obvious consequences. Russian air defense without any particular difficulties will be able to identify the UAV and hit it, incl. long before reaching the reconnaissance lines or launching missiles.

Dreams and Reality


Thus, the news about the Ukrainian request for reconnaissance and strike UAVs MQ-1C resembles others storiesthat have taken place in recent months. The Kyiv regime wants to get advertised foreign equipment and already has high hopes for it. However, obtaining the desired products is associated with serious difficulties. Moreover, drones may not live up to expectations - even if they are delivered.

If the information from Politico is true, and Ukraine has submitted a request to the United States for Gray Eagle drones, now everything depends on the American side. The Pentagon and the State Department must evaluate the need and prospects for such an export supply and make their decision. Obviously, it will be based only on the interests of the United States - and, most likely, will turn out to be negative.
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55 comments
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  1. -2
    3 May 2022 04: 58
    And what hopes were pinned on the Bayraktars! Like, with him we will easily defeat the Muscovites. But it didn’t work out - they clicked like seeds. The same fate awaits these pribludy. But the bad guys keep on dreaming.
    1. 0
      3 May 2022 06: 15
      Quote: Tagan
      But the bad guys keep on dreaming.

      Dreaming is not bad. The main thing is that they found something new to ask for. But the trouble is, they don't give it for free!
    2. +1
      3 May 2022 07: 37
      American drones must simply be delivered in integrity and safety.
      Such a complex cannot be hidden in an ambulance.
      Yes, and with airfields near Kyiv is not very ...
      1. +3
        3 May 2022 16: 26
        Did they also transport 200 Polish tanks in an ambulance?
        1. +1
          3 May 2022 18: 59
          Quote from Flanker692
          Did they also transport 200 Polish tanks in an ambulance?

          Ask those who transported.
          If they really have already delivered: I haven’t read the news since the morning
        2. 0
          5 May 2022 15: 41
          Quote from Flanker692
          Did they also transport 200 Polish tanks in an ambulance?

          Still deciding on what to transport.
    3. -3
      3 May 2022 13: 29
      I wonder how they will pay, it's not a freebie.
      1. 0
        5 May 2022 15: 44
        Quote from: gnat76
        I wonder how they will pay, it's not a freebie.

        Why share the skin of an unkilled bear? So far, no one has even promised them any "gray eagles". Let them dream, including that "the whole world" will pay for everything.
    4. 0
      4 May 2022 18: 56
      Quote: Tagan
      And what hopes were pinned on the Bayraktars!

      But they would be very useful to us ..
  2. +1
    3 May 2022 06: 27
    For some reason, articles are constantly published about what the collective West supplies to Great ZELandia, but articles about what military equipment and equipment are supplied to us by our allies (Belarus, for example), and what we supply to our allies (LPR and DPR).
    1. +4
      3 May 2022 09: 50
      Because the Ministry of Defense is actively hiding what is really happening at the front. There is no information at all on losses, on supply - nothing. So real or success can only be assessed according to data from the opposite side.
    2. 0
      5 May 2022 15: 47
      Quote: Maxim G
      what we supply to our allies (LNR and DNR

      At least we give them all the trophies.
      1. -1
        5 May 2022 15: 57
        So what? It's enough?
        1. 0
          5 May 2022 16: 38
          Quote: Maxim G
          So what? It's enough?

          What are they asking for, is there a list?
          1. -1
            6 May 2022 06: 00
            What are you interested in for?
            1. 0
              6 May 2022 10: 37
              Quote: Maxim G
              What are you interested in for?

              I understood you. Slipped off. They wrote from the lantern, but you can’t say anything specifically.
              1. -1
                6 May 2022 10: 42
                Rephrase.
                Do you want to help the militias or an idle interest in order to show that you are smarter than me?
                1. 0
                  6 May 2022 10: 51
                  Let me remind you the chronology. You asked a question - I answered - it seemed to you a little - I specified how much is needed? - and then you started to go off topic. Why then was it necessary to ask?
                  1. -1
                    6 May 2022 11: 01
                    Quote: Piramidon
                    I asked how much?

                    Are you ready to help the militias?
                    Required: quadcopters, thermal imagers.
                    People transfer or transfer money.
                    I transferred money.
                  2. -1
                    7 May 2022 04: 43
                    And where did you disappear to, I wrote that the militias are asking.
                    1. 0
                      7 May 2022 10: 15
                      Quote: Maxim G
                      And where did you disappear to, I wrote that the militias are asking.

                      What are you waiting for? Well, I can say thank you. Now I know what they need. Or do you just have no one to talk to?
                      1. -1
                        7 May 2022 11: 17
                        The militias are waiting for help from all Russians.
                        That's why I asked why you are interested - interest, as usual, turned out to be idle.
  3. KCA
    0
    3 May 2022 08: 28
    Iran landed the RQ-170 safe and sound, the most secret and invisible, well, our developers will also have the MQ-1C for review, if the air defense system doesn’t take it apart for parts earlier, it’s not a pity to spend $ 8 million and 48NE3
  4. +6
    3 May 2022 08: 40
    According to Y. Podolyako dated April 23.04, the Western countries decided to supply 200 NATO-style 155 mm shells. This is a serious threat to Russia. And it takes two weeks to retrain on NATO systems. Not enough shelling and sabotage for us, there will be even more.
    The longer the NWO goes on, the more disappointments I have from our generals. Brusilov, Zhukov could break through the enemy’s defenses, and we have the most powerful and best weapons: Grads, Tornadoes, Hurricanes, Masta, Iskanders, Solntsepёki, etc., for the third month we cannot destroy the grouping in the Donbass. The West sees this and has completely lost its fear. Or maybe we just have "leaders of the wrong system"?
    1. +5
      3 May 2022 09: 00
      Quote: steel maker
      Or maybe we just have "leaders of the wrong system"?

      I believe, after the "unexpected" losses of the first weeks, our commanders were instructed to AVOID any losses. How to do it in offensive battles? Moreover, having the strength of half (at least) than that of the enemy? Do you know how? The issue is more political than military. Decisive goals are not declared - that's why boxing goes with one hand, and the other is tied to the body. This is where the enemy gets insolent.
      1. +3
        3 May 2022 11: 26
        "our commanders were given the instruction to AVOID any losses."
        Was it Solovyov or Skabeeva who told you? With such a powerful weapon, why can't you use it? Are you going to storm with infantry? Watch the film "Liberation. Breakthrough" The episode where the generals and Zhukov discuss how the Nazi defenses will break through. Initially, 150 guns per km were planned. front width of 12 km. Then they decided to strengthen, and 300 guns for one km of the front. It turns out, roughly, every three meters - a tool. For one km of the front, 358 tons of ammunition (1 million shells). This information is from The Great War
        150 guns per 1 km. front minimum!! And I'm not saying this, but the generals who won the Second World War. Now give me the address of the video or information where our commanders are 1 km away. front use 150 guns.
        1. +4
          3 May 2022 12: 37
          Quote: steel maker
          150 guns per 1 km. front minimum!! And I'm not saying this, but the generals who won the Second World War. Now give me the address of the video or information where our commanders are 1 km away. front use 150 guns

          Can you tell me the length of the front? The one that is now "breaking through". Offhand, 400 kilometers. Multiplied by 150? And we have the entire grouping of 100 thousand on the first line, if not less. Narrow breakthroughs in conditions of at least a twofold superiority of the enemy in manpower can have bad consequences ... So they finally began to break the "piece of iron" ... This will help.
          1. -1
            3 May 2022 14: 02
            "Offhand, 400 kilometers. And we have the entire group of 100 thousand on the first line, if not less."
            And who is to blame that our commanders are so friendly with mathematics?
        2. +2
          3 May 2022 17: 23
          Quote: steel maker
          300 guns per km of front. It turns out, roughly, every three meters - a tool. For one km of the front, 358 tons of ammunition (1 million shells). This information is from The Great War

          Something is really wrong with you. One shell (more precisely, one shot) - 358 grams? What are you shooting from, a 20mm air gun? Is the consumption of shells in one operation more than 3000 per barrel?

          Oh, this story of the Second World War. Oh those historians.
        3. +2
          3 May 2022 18: 58
          there are serious doubts about the "commanders" .. Shoigu is an official from the Ministry of Defense (well, with all due respect to his talents, he is not at all Suvorov (not even Kuropatkin) well, we didn’t even have a war (Syria is rather ATO and in the Donbass we are NOT there somehow) .. but as an official he is in the subject (and where are the military ministers in the subject now Frau Ursula was the Minister of Defense in Germany and what is left of that Bundeswehr ?? and we have all the same, progress in the defense industry (or how ???) .. so, in the words of Comrade Stalin ... we don’t have other military men .. so they fight as best they can (yeah, don’t shoot the pianist, he plays as best he can) and for all connoisseurs of WOT & WOW ..your opinion is important to us..stay in touch..paragraph
    2. +5
      3 May 2022 09: 53
      I think the answer is simpler than it seems, there are not so many combat-ready vehicles left, indirectly this is evidenced by frames with outdated samples
    3. NKT
      +4
      3 May 2022 10: 00
      Calculate then what losses were during, as you say, "breaking through the defense" and what forces this was carried out.

      The front burned, not abating,
      As on the body of the scar.
      I'm dead and I do not know,
      Is our Rzhev finally? (with)
    4. 0
      3 May 2022 11: 26
      200 shells - it certainly sounds impressive - but only this whole amount is enough for a week of intense fighting along the entire front - all the more so since there are few howitzers for this caliber - so it turns out that there is more PR than practicality
    5. 0
      5 May 2022 15: 51
      Quote: steel maker
      Brusilov, Zhukov could break through the enemy's defenses

      Forgot to add - regardless of losses. Now the tactics are a little different. Or didn't you notice?
      1. +1
        7 May 2022 02: 24
        And who is stopping ours from working out first on the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on the right section 15 kilometers wide, to adjust the activities of artillery regiments - and let them plow everything to a depth of 20-25 km. And then a few more MLRS divisions - give a dozen volleys for polishing.
        And then look - what is left of the Armed Forces of Ukraine ... and if it remains to chimney, then you need to call the aviation that it has worked out pointwise.

        And the funniest thing is that the military has standards for the consumption of ammunition of a certain caliber to suppress typical targets!
        But what prevents them from increasing these standards by 10 times???
  5. +6
    3 May 2022 08: 42
    On the money side, $33 billion in aid from the US was recently approved. Of these, about 20 billion for military purposes. And this is not for machine guns and cartridges. So money is not an issue.
    I don’t know, they will give it, they won’t give it, they also said about HIMARS that they won’t give it, but it’s how it turned out.
    So for 20 billion weapons, ammunition and equipment will be given. The question is what will be given.
    There they have almost a "holy war / crusade" with lend-lease and other goodies. They have there: "everything for the front, everything for victory."
    Look, even the Baltic countries gave their javelins to Ukrainians.
    Relax early.
    1. +2
      3 May 2022 11: 27
      It seems to me - if it’s strong, then ours will use tactical vigorous loaves - if they don’t use it, then it’s normal work
      1. +1
        4 May 2022 18: 49
        Quote from Whitefall
        It seems to me - if it’s strong, then ours will use tactical vigorous loaves - if they don’t use it, then it’s normal work

        It was necessary to start with them SVO, and not bring it to the point that - if it's too tight,
      2. 0
        7 May 2022 02: 25
        Damn, another fan of waving nuclear weapons !!!!
        It is harmful for you to know that nuclear weapons exist !!!!
  6. +2
    3 May 2022 09: 23
    A serious bird, if really put, will bring a lot of trouble. The problem cannot be solved by strengthening air defense alone. It is not necessary to use the airfield from the highway. These birds should not take off at all.
  7. -2
    3 May 2022 09: 51
    Earlier in April, it was reported that the Ukrainian delegation held talks with the American company General Atomics. The possibility of supplying various types of heavy reconnaissance and strike UAVs to Ukraine was discussed. First of all, the MQ-9 apparatus was mentioned in this context.

    So with such strong air defense as ours, they will be shot down, and no one needs anti-advertising.
  8. +3
    3 May 2022 09: 55
    "The dispatch of American specialists is excluded for political reasons and because of military risks."
    Where and where to send? From Arizona to Kansas? A qualified operator can be located almost anywhere in the ball, as long as there is a connection. On the spot, "on the ground" we need technical staff to prepare for the flight and that's it. So you can also fly from Poland, if trains are already traveling there, then crossing the border for a drone is not a problem.
    Our main problem in this case is not to "confuse" the state ownership of the units, where transferred to Ukraine, and where real, the United States.
  9. +5
    3 May 2022 10: 02
    Yes, these drones are complete nonsense, and the Americans are stupid. Only we are a smart and staunch people. What kind of genre is this to engage in complacency and underestimate the enemy? Were there few people in the first month? A drone in the absence of a large number of aircraft in Ukraine is the only real way to launch air strikes. It is slow, but the target is small, it can barrage 12-24 hours in ambush without revealing itself and suddenly hit the column. We generally have no information from the Ministry of Defense to say - unmanned aircraft are not effective / effective
    1. -1
      3 May 2022 11: 29
      The question here is not who is smart, but who is stupid - it's just that the US drones were created for other purposes - to catch and knock out partisans without serious air defense. And in other conditions, it most likely will not show the same effectiveness.
  10. -1
    3 May 2022 11: 04
    Quote from: Vasenrot

    Well, actually, the Ukrainians showed a video yesterday of how two boats were shot down near Zmeiny with these bayraktars. And then they posted a video of how they were already beating on the island itself.

    Of course, we can say that this is Arma 3 and other fake. But I don’t think it makes sense for them to do this after the sunken cruiser. Moreover, boats are much lighter targets.

    It is clear that bayraktars are shot down. But for some reason everyone forgets that factories in Turkey continue to rivet them further! And no one canceled deliveries for the Armed Forces of Ukraine either.

    I wonder what they will say in the RF Ministry of Defense? Will they remain silent or say something?

    Why would Ukrainians suddenly stop dealing with fakes? Their situation has not improved. Fakes continue to rivet in an endless stream, as before. Often they post footage of our own MO, passing off as their victories. The cruiser is clearly not their merit. Bayraktar definitely cannot destroy it.
    Nobody forgets that our "partners" supply ukrov. But this will not fundamentally change their fate.
  11. -2
    3 May 2022 13: 44
    Quote from jngus
    Because the Ministry of Defense is actively hiding what is really happening at the front. There is no information at all on losses, on supply - nothing. So real or success can only be assessed according to data from the opposite side.

    Listen to Lyusya Arestovich. She definitely doesn't lie!
  12. -1
    4 May 2022 12: 20
    We need one in our village. !Watch the development of the fields. Please. Attach a detailed job description. It is possible in English with mats.
  13. 0
    10 May 2022 20: 46
    Very vryat-whether. This product overtakes Russian years by 20-30. If he is shot down (or imprisoned by intercepting the control channel), this will be a breath for the amers below the belt. They use these birds either in the neutral zone, or over militants with AKM, from a height of 7-12 km. Where there is no risk of losing it
  14. 0
    4 June 2022 23: 10
    The next problem is preparation of operation. The Ukrainian army lacks specialists capable of operating American heavy UAVs and ensuring their operation.


    The Americans don’t really want it to turn out with their UAV like with Bayraktar, that’s why they fidget and don’t know what to do. After all, they probably know that Russia will shoot them down very easily.

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