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MQ-1 Predator

Also known as: Predator A · RQ-1 Predator

Manufacturer: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

MQ-1 Predator

Original MALE armed UAV that shaped contemporary drone warfare doctrine. Retired by USAF in 2018 but variants remain in allied service.

Specifications

Category
strike
In service since
1995
Weight
1020 kg
Payload
204 kg
Range
1100 km
Endurance
1440 min
Speed
217 km/h
Control
satcom
EW resistance
medium
Autonomy
operator-on-loop
Unit cost (USD)
$4,000,000 – $5,000,000

Notable use cases

First weaponized strike (Hellfire) over Afghanistan Nov 2001; CIA targeted-killing campaigns in Pakistan and Yemen 2004-2017.

Recent events involving this drone

seizure2026-05-31Iran shoots down U.S. MQ-1 drone over waters near Iran; CENTCOM says it struck Iranian drone-related sites🇮🇷
See all events →

Sources

Data confidence: 95 / 100. Catalog is in active development.