The US Air Force announced on 24 February that the remotely piloted MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which have been in service for 21 years, will be retired.
Commander of 20th Attack Squadron stated, “We are planning to separate MQ-1 completely from flight duties until 1 July 2017”.
The MQ-1 Predator will miss the task of taking over the MQ-9 Reaper UAVs. MQ-9s are preferred due to its high definition sensor, high payload capacity and increased speed.
211216-N-QI061-1222 NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (December 16, 2021) An MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), assigned to Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19 (VUP-19), sits on the flight line at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, Dec. 16, 2021. VUP-19, the Navy’s first Triton squadron, will continue to maintain and operate the aircraft off the East Coast to further develop the concept of operations and refine tactics, techniques, and procedures. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan T. Beard/ Released)