MQ-1C ER flight testing

The General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-1C ER Gray Eagle production aircraft has begun flight testing at the Dugway proving ground, Utah, for evaluation, which will demonstrate the MQ-1C ER’s mission capabilities. The MQ-1C ER is scheduled to go through logistics demonstration early in 2018 to validate maintainability. Follow-on operational test and evaluation in March 2018 will demonstrate the aircraft’s ability to meet US Army operational requirements in preparation for operations, which are planned for August 2018. The MQ-1C ER recently completed a 41.9-hour endurance flight, exceeding the 40-hour flight test target.