MQ-9A Predator B

[everman]

The Predator 2, aka the MQ-9 Reaper.
And I guess it's not so new news after all after looking it up here, but since I've typed this much and nothing comes up on search I'll post it anyway. At least there's good pics in the first link.

 

[PhoenixOrion]

i guess these are only good if there are no piloted enemy aircraft in the area.

 

[TheWart]

Originally posted by: PhoenixOrion
i guess these are only good if there are no piloted enemy aircraft in the area.

True, but as the probability of more asymmetric warfare arises these things will prove extremely valuable.

 

[preslove]

This thing is replacing the F16? I thought the F16 was more of a manuerverable dogfighter than a bomber.

 

[everman]

Originally posted by: PhoenixOrion
i guess these are only good if there are no piloted enemy aircraft in the area.

Not necessarily. You could have an awacs or other long range detection methods pinpoint enemy aircraft, relay that target info to the Predator 2 which launches air-to-air missiles, all well beyond visual and short range radar. We already do this with manned aircraft. You could literally have instant access to a lot of air-to-air missiles instantly 24/7 without putting humans in danger.

 

[Auryg]

Wouldn't these things have quite a bit of lag time? I'm assuming the signal only goes at the speed of sound...or is it the speed of light?

 

[ranmaniac]

Now all we need is SkyNet.

 

[everman]

Originally posted by: Auryg
Wouldn't these things have quite a bit of lag time? I'm assuming the signal only goes at the speed of sound...or is it the speed of light?

Satellite, they're around fast and damn fast, possibly frickin' fast.

 

[Connoisseur]

Originally posted by: Auryg
Wouldn't these things have quite a bit of lag time? I'm assuming the signal only goes at the speed of sound...or is it the speed of light?

Speed of sound? We're not yelling instructions at it across the ocean. It's the speed of however quickly the satellite or awacs can relay info to it..

 

[aka1nas]

Originally posted by: Auryg
Wouldn't these things have quite a bit of lag time? I'm assuming the signal only goes at the speed of sound...or is it the speed of light?

They aren't going to be dogfighting enemy jets at 100s of feet away, they will be launching missiles at them from a few miles away. A 3000ms ping won't make them worthless in that sort of situation.