Thu, Aug 18, 2022
Don’t Fear the Civilian Reaper
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, the California-based energy and defense concern, has undertaken testing of Pratt and Whitney’s PT6 E power-plant on its MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). The tests, which consisted of multiple full-power runs, were performed at General Atomics’s Desert Horizon flight operations facility in El Mirage, Calif.
The MQ-9B SkyGuardian derives of the combat-proven MQ-9 Reaper in use with the United States Air Force, Navy, and numerous NATO militaries. SkyGuardian—unlike its warfighter sibling—was developed in accordance with EASA regulations for purpose of boosting European sales of the critter.
The MQ-9B SkyGuardian features electro-optical/infrared sensors, de/anti-icing systems, TCAS, and automatic takeoff and landing capability. The vehicle is operated by means of a redesigned & modernized ground control station with four crew-terminals. SkyGuardian is designed to fly Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) via SATCOM for up to forty-hours. The MQ-9B is certified for all-weather flight and—by virtue of its compliance with NATO STANAG (Standardization Agreement) 4671—integrates smoothly and safely into civil airspace, thereby enabling joint-force-military and civilian authorities to benefit from real-time situational awareness of events ostensibly germane to national security.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems president David R. Alexander states: “We’ve enjoyed a long-term relationship with Pratt & Whitney. Integrating their PT6 E-Series engine onto our MQ-9B SkyGuardian aircraft offers an alternate option for future customers that includes a 33-percent increase in power, dual channel electronic propeller, and engine control system, as well as all the benefits of the PT6 engine family.”
Pratt & Whitney Military Engines president Jill Albertelli adds: “Our PT6 E-series is the ideal engine for this mission, and we look forward to working with General Atomics on this important program.”
Since entering service in 1964, Pratt and Whitney’s PT6 engine family has logged more than 400-million flight hours. Renowned for an in-flight shutdown rate of only 1 per 651,126-hours—the remarkably reliable power-plant has been produced in variants ranging from 580 to 1,940-shaft-horsepower.
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