Predator draws attention at Paris Air Show

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Marc Lane
  • 435th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
PARIS (AFPN) --  Within the United States aircraft coral at the 47th International Paris Air Show, the MQ-1 Predator stands out from the rest. 

The Predator is the only unmanned Department of Defense aircraft showcased with its entire maintenance crew at the air show in France.

"Where does the pilot sit?" asked an onlooker. 

There isn't a seat. The significance of this unmanned aerial vehicle is its ability to protect our Airmen by performing without human cargo. The Predator is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. Its primary mission is interdiction and conducting armed reconnaissance against critical, perishable targets.

A lot of public interest was directed at this aircraft capable of 24 hours of overhead coverage to accomplish search and surveillance, reconnaissance, weapons delivery, battle damage assessment, and targeting.

"We put warheads on foreheads" said Staff Sgt. Angelo Munoz of the 432nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron from Creech Air Force Base, Nev.

The aircrew in charge of the Predator from the 432nd AMXS answered questions from air show attendees about this unique piece of equipment.

Staff Sgt. Patrick Perry outlined how effective the Predator is. 

"Wherever we can have a satellite, we can work," Sergeant Perry said. "So, we can fly anywhere in the world. We can take it apart like a model airplane, pack it up, ship it anywhere, put it together and be operational within eight hours."  

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