General Atomics Aeronautical Systems says it has received State Department approval to export an unarmed version of its Predator A remotely piloted aircraft to a wider foreign market, including Pakistan and nations in the Middle East. To date, Predators have been available only to NATO allies, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. The company calls the new export version the Predator XP. Unlike the MQ-1 Predators flown by the Air Force, this export version would be unable to carry weapons and is envisioned for use strictly as an overhead surveillance and reconnaissance platform. According to a Bloomberg news wire service report, the company sees potential sales of up to 100 units in the Middle East and Pakistan. This model is also being promoted to Mexico and nations in South America.
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.