TheGeneral Atomics MQ-1 Predatoris anunmanned aerial vehicle(UAV) built byGeneral Atomicsand used primarily by theUnited States Air Force(USAF) andCentral Intelligence Agency(CIA). Initially conceived in the early 1990s forreconnaissanceand forward observation roles, the Predator carries cameras and other sensors but has been modified and upgraded to carry and fire twoAGM-114 Hellfiremissilesor other munitions. The aircraft, in use since 1995, has seencombatoverAfghanistan,Pakistan,Bosnia,Serbia,Iraq,Yemen,Libya, andSomalia.

The USAF describes the Predator as a "Tier II" MALE UAS (medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft system). The UAS consists of four aircraft or "air vehicles" with sensors, aground control station(GCS), and a primary satellite link communication suite.[4]Powered by aRotaxengine and driven by a propeller, the air vehicle can fly up to 400 nautical miles (740km) to a target, loiter overhead for 14 hours, then return to its base.

Following 2001, the RQ-1 Predator became the primary unmanned aircraft used for offensive operations by the USAF and the CIA in Afghanistan and thePakistani tribal areas; it has also been deployed elsewhere. Because offensive uses of the Predator areclassified, U.S. military officials have reported an appreciation for the intelligence and reconnaissance-gathering abilities of UAVs but declined to publicly discuss their offensive use.[5]

Civilian applications have included border enforcement and scientific studies, and to monitor wind direction and other characteristics of large forest fires (such as the one that was used by theCalifornia Air National Guardin the August 2013Rim Fire).[6]