Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) branch this week began operating one of its MQ-9 Predator unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) that was modified by prime contractor General Atomics with a larger wing, significantly extending flight time and providing an onboard de-icing capability.
The “Big Wing” Predator includes 79-foot wings versus the 66-foot wings on the initial Predator UAS that CBP acquired, providing more than 30 hours of flight time versus the 20 hours with the smaller wing, the agency said on Nov. 22.
The modified aircraft flew a 27.5-hour flight from AMO’s National Air Security Operations Center in San Angelo, Calif., to its operating area. The drone landed with enough fuel for several more hours of flight operations, CBP said.
CBP has funded two modified Predators and took delivery of the second aircraft on Nov. 14.
General Atomics also extended the flight control surfaces and added propeller blades on the modified Predators, allowing for increased fuel capacity that in turn increases flight operations.
The enhanced de-icing capabilities will allow flights through light icing conditions and reduce weather related flight conditions. AMO currently operates nine Predators, including two Guardian-variants that are equipped with the RTX [RTX] SeaVue radar for maritime missions.
Currently, 35 percent of planned Predator flights are canceled due to forecasted icing conditions, seriously crimping operations. CBP said it expects the enhanced de-icing capabilities on the two modified UAS to allow it to conduct more operations.
In addition to San Angelo, AMO operates its Predators from National Air Security Operations Centers in Corpus Christi, Texas, Sierra Vista, Ariz., and Grand Forks, N.D.