Predator, a remotely piloted aircraft, became world famous as the first successful weaponized RPA and first to conduct lethal strikes. Designed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, this medium-altitude, long-endurance system was first used by USAF for surveillance. Later it was armed with laser guided missiles and flown against terrorist targets. Many lethal missions were CIA ventures, but the aircraft, pilots, and command and control systems belonged to the Air Force. Predator descended from RPAs conceived in the 1980s by designer Abraham Karem.Predatorwas made of light graphite epoxy composites and given long wings, downward tail planes, and a large head bulge. Powerful EO/IR cameras and sensors yielded full-motion video and still radar images. It saw first combat-in a reconnaissance role-over Bosnia in 1995. By 2000, improved communications let US-based pilots operate Predators 7,000 miles away. This led to "remote split operations"-a forward deployed team for takeoff and landing and a US-based crew to fly the mission.
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