The latest block of the MQ-1 unmanned aerial vehicle, dubbed the MQ-1C, is now heading into flight-testing, according to a senior Air Force official. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is developing the MQ-1C for the Army under the Warrior UAV program and the first air vehicle of the type, a proof-of-concept model, is heading into flight tests. But the Air Force has also purchased two MQ-1C Predator developmental units to evaluate and see if they meet USAF needs, Martha Evans, director for information dominance programs in the Air Force’s acquisition office, said on Jan. 29 during a meeting with reporters. The MQ-1C has improvements, such as a new engine, over previous Predators, the need for which continues to grow. The Air Force expects to receive its two air vehicles in July and August, she said. A decision would come from each service sometime in the next 12 to 18 months on whether it is actually going to procure the production version of the C model, she said. “The MQ-1C could be a common platform,” Evans said, noting, however, that there have been no decisions made yet. The two services have been looking into how to make their respective C models as similar as possible and are already working toward establishing a common production line for Warrior and Predator.
Planning an Air Show Is Hard. At Andrews, It’s Even Harder
Sept. 17, 2025
Joint Base Andrews opened its flightline this month to thousands of civilians, exposing a normally restricted airbase that regularly hosts the president and foreign dignitaries to a curious public eager to see current and historic military aircraft up close and in action.
