Aircraft
UK Will Pay $1 Billion To Bolster Reaper UAV Fleet
The Royal Air Force is planning to increase its MALE UAV capability, by acquiring Certifiable Predator Bs.
The UK is the launch customer for the Certifiable Predator B, an enlarged and improved version of the Reaper. (Photo: GA-ASI)
The UK is the launch customer for the Certifiable Predator B, an enlarged and improved version of the Reaper. (Photo: GA-ASI)

The cost to the UK of buying a new fleet of armed Reaper UAVs from General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) appears to have increased from earlier estimates. As notified to the U.S. Congress last week, the sale is worth an estimated $1 billion for 16 Certifiable Predator B (CPB) airframes plus ground control stations (GCS) and sensors. The Royal Air Force (RAF) is planning a major expansion of its medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV force. Contract negotiations continue; the sale has not yet been concluded.