Gray Eagle Overview SGT Mack James 35G ALC Class 18-F03 February 20, 2018 The Gray Eagle is an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) developed by General Atomics in August 2005, to replace the RQ-5 Hunter. The aircraft is an armed, medium altitude, long endurance asset. It has Full Motion Video (FMV), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) capabilities. The UAS is in use today in the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility (AOR). It has conducted over 10,000 missions to date. This asset directly supports five of the Warfighting Functions and indirectly supports mission command. In 2002, the U.S. Army had a competition to replace the RQ-5 Hunter. Two aircraft were entered, the IAI/Northrop Grumman Hunter II and the Warrior. In August 2005, the Warrior …show more content…
The Gray Eagle provides munitions for the Fires Warfighting Function to conduct targeting operations. It provides convoy protection assisting Sustainment on the battlefield the asset also provides Forward Operating Base, or “FOB”, overwatch, assisting in the Protection Warfighting Function. Mission Command is the most vital Warfighting Function. It enables the U.S. Army to conduct Unified Land Operations. All five Warfighting Functions support Mission Command. The Gray Eagle assists in successfully supporting all five of the Warfighting Functions. The US Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) operates the Gray Eagle in support of the US Army Forces Command (FORSCOM). The asset currently in Afghanistan supporting Operation Resolute Support. The Gray Eagle currently in Iraq supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. The primary function of the asset in these regions is neutralization of imminent threats on friendly forces. It also provides convoy overwatch to friendly forces. The aircraft has allowed for successful execution of countless missions across the