Navy buys Predator from General Atomics

Posted on: Aug. 12th, 2006 || Source: signonsandiego.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

Navy buys Predator from General Atomics

WASHINGTON -- The Navy is joining the Air Force and the CIA in buying the San Diego-made Predator unmanned aircraft.

The Naval Air Systems Command has awarded an $8.29 million contract to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for one of its Predator B unmanned aerial vehicles, plus spare parts and ground-support equipment. The B model is a larger, turboprop-powered version of the original Predators, which the Army and the CIA have used in Iraq, Afghanistan and other areas for years.

The Navy earlier bought two Global Hawks from the other San Diego-based UAV builder, Northrop Grumman Unmanned Systems, primarily as test vehicles for its proposed Broad Area Maritime Surveillance program.

The two UAV makers, both based in Rancho Bernardo, are considered prime contenders for the $1 billion-plus BAMS contract, which is expected to be awarded in September 2007.

The Predator will be used to support research and development efforts on airborne sensors and will assist in a variety of programs, Naval Air Systems Command spokeswoman Sandra Schroeder said yesterday. It is not specifically linked to the BAMS program, she said.
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