General Atomics’ Avenger RPA Conducts Nearly 24-Hour Continuous Flight

General Atomics‘ aeronautical systems business has flown an extended-range version of its Avenger remotely piloted aircraft for 23.4 hours continuously.

The Avenger Extended Range RPA set a new endurance record and surpassed a flight test goal of 20 hours, General Atomics said Thursday.

During the test, the Avenger ER operated in an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance configuration while performing a simulated reconnaissance mission.

Avenger ER’s continuous flight is 10 hours longer than the capacity of the Predator C Avenger aircraft variant.

General Atomics uses Avenger as a substitute for the company’s proposed platform under the U.S. Navy‘s MQ-25 unmanned tanker program.

The company tests Avenger as a surrogate in an effort to shorten the development timeline for MQ-25 if General Atomics wins the Navy contract.

Avenger ER has a 76-feet wingspan and is designed to feature sensors and weapons payloads for ISR and ground support missions.