New Avenger UAV Has Set Impressive Endurance Record

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The Avenger Extended Range (ER) UAV has set a new endurance record. The next-generation Avenger ER flew 23.4 continuous hours in a representative Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) configuration while carrying out a simulated reconnaissance mission. This exceeded the 20-hour flight test goal and reflects a 10-hour improvement over the baseline Predator C Avenger aircraft. Combined, the Avenger and the Avenger ER have accumulated over 20,000 flight hours.

The Avenger is manufactured by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA‑ASI). With an increased wingspan of 76 feet, Avenger ER extends the legacy Avenger’s already impressive endurance. The UAV provides an optimal balance of long-loiter ISR and precision-strike capability, supporting a wide array of sensors and weapons payloads to perform ISR and ground support missions.

According to the company announcement on its website, there are several other improvements on the Avenger ER which include increasing the maximum gross takeoff weight (MGTOW) to 19,500 pounds using a co-cured composite center wing and heavyweight landing gear. It also integrates a game-changing dual redundant, lightweight brake control capability using a GA-ASI developed lightweight Hybrid Linear anti-lock brake system.

Like the legacy Avenger, Avenger ER features avionics based upon the combat-proven Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper, has 3,000-pound payload bay, and is capable of flying at over 400 Knots True Airspeed (KTAS). The Avenger fleet is designed to carry payloads such as the all-weather GA-ASI Lynx Multi-mode Radar and the MS-177 Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensor.