General Atomics MQ-1B Predator

A Plane Without a Pilot

When General Atomics Aeronautical Systems developed the MQ-1 Predator drone in the late 1990s, it signaled the first effective application of unmanned aircraft—a long-considered military concept. Predators were initially made to collect intelligence. However, this platform later took on a combat role, as well. Unlike most aircraft in the US Air Force, the Predator is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), meaning a team of Airmen control it from a remote location. MQ-1s were used heavily in the Middle East to locate high-value targets. Thanks to their successful application, Predators demonstrated the potential for UAVs to effectively contribute to Air Force missions in several ways.

Reconnaissance to Combat

In 2004, the US Air Force used the Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR) to assess the MQ-1’s ability to strike a moving target with munitions—testing its possible combat capability. Because of this successful evaluation, the Predator went on to support not just reconnaissance missions, but combat operations too. Along with UTTR support for the MQ-1, the Ogden Air Logistics Complex at Hill Air Force Base also provided software development and sustainment to support the MQ-1 while in active service.

Combat Tested, Museum Approved

During its time with the US Air Force, the MQ-1B on display flew combat missions in Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. First flying on 31 January 2005, it accumulated 28,069 hours of flight time and took part in over 1,600 combat missions. It retired from service in 2017 and arrived at the Hill Aerospace Museum for static display in 2020.

This aircraft is on loan from the U.S. Air Force Heritage Program.

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