General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has delivered the final two RQ-1 unmanned aerial vehicles to the Italian Air Force. The delivery also marked an end to the Predator A production line.
“With the delivery of these aircraft, GA-ASI completes over two decades of delivering Predator A capabilities to the United States and allied countries,” said Frank W. Pace, president, Aircraft Systems, GA-ASI. “Amassing over 2.1 million cumulative flight hours and featuring the highest Mission Capable Rate of any aircraft in the Air Force’s inventory, Predators will continue to keep warfighters safe by equipping them with unparalleled situational awareness for many years to come.”
The Italian Air Force is a leader in the utilization of Predator and MQ-9 RPA to support a wide range of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions in Italy, over the Mediterranean, and in support of NATO operations. Italy is the first country in Europe to have achieved an RPA airworthiness certification. GA-ASI has been supplying the ItAF with these critical assets for more than a decade.
High-resolution photos of the ItAF’s RQ-1 and MQ-9 aircraft are available to qualified media outlets from the GA-ASI media contact listed below.