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MQ-1 Predator
Photo: U.S. Air Force photo/Lt Col Leslie Pratt · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
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MQ-1Predator

Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones · United States · 1995
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MQ-1Predator

MQ-1 Predator
MQ-1 Predator Photo: U.S. Air Force photo/Lt Col Leslie Pratt · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sensor Payload
75
Endurance
80
Operating Altitude
70
Range
75
Data-Link
65
Stealth / Survivability
40
Image Quality
70
Autonomy
60
Technology
85
Cost-Effectiveness
90
Origin United States
ManufacturerGeneral Atomics
CategoryReconnaissance / Surveillance Drones
EraPost-Cold War
In service1995–2018
Operators5 countries
Quantity360
Data Quality86%
70
Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones MASS Rating
11/69
Post-Cold War
47/288
All-Time
Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones · 10 axes scored
Sensor Payload
75
Endurance
80
Operating Altitude
70
Range
75
Data-Link
65
Stealth / Survivability
40
Image Quality
70
Autonomy
60
Technology
85
Cost-Effectiveness
90
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category.
01 / Overview
MQ-1 Predator
Prime contractor
Production
1995–2018
Quantity
360
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES · POST-COLD WAR
11
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
92
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
70
reconnaissance / surveillance drones category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • UAV ClassMALE
  • Category (MALE/HALE/Tactical/Micro)Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones
  • First Flight1994
  • Service Entry Year1995
  • Primary Roleaerial reconnaissance and forward observation
  • In ServiceYes
◈Airframe6MOD.6
  • Length8.23 m
  • Wingspan14.8 m
  • Height2.1 m
  • Empty Weight513 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight1,020 kg
  • Low ObservableNo
▣Powerplant5MOD.5
  • Engine Type4-cylinder air-cooled turbocharged horizontally-opposed piston engine
  • Number of Engines1
  • Engine Power86 kW
  • Electric PropulsionNo
  • Propeller / Configurationconstant-speed pusher propeller
◇Performance5MOD.5
  • Top Speed217 km/h
  • Cruise Speed130 km/h
  • Service Ceiling7,620 m
  • Range1,250 km
  • Endurance24
◆Payload & Sensors3MOD.3
▤Armament4MOD.4
⬢Control & Autonomy3MOD.3
▲Production3MOD.3
  • Total Built360
  • Operators10
  • Variants7
◎Service History3MOD.3
  • Retirement Year2018
  • Production Start1995
  • Production End2018
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1945First deployment: Cold War
  2. 1995Production started
  3. 2013Sale: United Arab Emirates (4 units) · $197 M
  4. 2018Production ended
31
years in service
23
years in production
360
units produced
3
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 2 countries retired it.
04 / Conflicts
MQ-1 PREDATOR · CONFLICTS SERVED IN0% win
Total Conflicts
3
Victories
0
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Inventory2country · 8units
8active
MQ-1 PredatorSALES2records
YearBuyerQuantityAmountPresent Value (2025)
2013United Arab Emirates4$197.0 M$272.3 M
—Morocco4——
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE6terms
Air-to-Ground Missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to attack ground targets. They enable aircraft to engage and destroy enemy ground positions, vehicles, and installations.
Operational state of a drone where weapons systems are enabled and ready for engagement.
Electro-optical/infrared sensor combining daylight cameras and thermal imagers for real-time target detection, tracking, and identification in military drones.
A device that emits a laser beam to mark targets for precision-guided munitions, enabling accurate strikes by designating coordinates for laser-homing weapons.
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) radar are airborne radar systems used to detect, track, and image moving or stationary targets on the ground, regardless of weather or lighting conditions.
A communication link between a drone and its control station via satellite relay, enabling beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) operations.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones entry →