represent a sample of those that have been operationally deployed since the 1994 Bosnia conflict and subsequently employed in counterterrorism operations around the world.[175] Since then, their form and use have spread to civil and commercial applications.
GNAT 750
The GNAT 750 was developed in the late 1980s by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. The prototype served as the basis for a more advanced design under DARPA.[176] It was first used in 1994 during the Bosnia conflict where satellites were not optimized to collect for extended times over such small areas and where the airspace was heavily defended by capable anti-aircraft missile systems.[177]
Predator
The Predator system, also built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., was based on the GNAT-750.[178] It was initially a joint USN and U.S. Army project but transitioned to the USAF in 1996.[179] It was known as the RQ-1.[180] The system possessed synthetic aperture radar, electro-optical, and infrared sensors.[181] It was used to support United Nations and North Atlantic Treaty Organization efforts in Bosnia and was widely used in counterterrorism operations.[182] It became a platform with a wide array of technical capabilities that performed a variety of missions—such as close air support, combat search and rescue, precision strike, convoy/raid over watch, target development and terminal air guidance.[183] The USAF retired the fleet in 2018.[184]
Reaper
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. also built the MQ-9 Reaper—a newer, larger version of the MQ-1 Predator UAV.[185] This platform is faster, equipped with more advanced sensors, can carry more munitions than the Predator, and can be easily tailored with a variety of mission-specific capabilities.[186] The system requires a pilot to control the aircraft and an aircrew member to operate the sensors and weapons.[187][188] It has an operational altitude of 50,000 feet.[189] The aircraft is operated out of a variety of locations worldwide, including Creech Air Force Base (AFB) in Nevada.[190]
Dark Star
The RQ-3 Dark Star was a remote pilot-assisted stealth system intended to conduct reconnaissance missions in high-threat areas. Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and DARPA developed Dark Star in the mid-to-late 1990s.[191] It never entered production, but the research conducted on Dark Star led to subsequent advances used on other platforms. Some observers asserted that Dark Star resembled a flying saucer with long narrow wings.[192]
It was designed to be fully autonomous from its launch, mission engagement, and return. It used satellite links to transmit sensor data. The first prototype flew in 1996, but crashed a month later on its second flight. The system completed five test flights before DoD terminated the program in 1999 due to cost and instability problems.[193]
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