Predator A did its first flight in July 1994 and its operational debut in 1995. Since then, more than 320 Predator A have been delivered to various customers in support of global security worldwide, and the product line remained in production until 2011.
The Predator A has flown about 141.000 missions and more than two million flight hours in total. More than 90 percent of those hours were flown supporting combat missions. Linden Blue, CEO of GA-ASI has said “With innovation in mind, we have always looked for ways to challenge the industry standard. Our Predator series has evolved over the past 25 years to become MQ-9 and Gray Eagle (MQ-1C), which are the world's most proven combat RPAs.”
GA-ASI won its first major award for the Predator A program in 1994 from the United States Office of Joint Programs, which was later transferred to the United States Air Force. In addition to the United States, Predator A was acquired by the Italian Ministry of Defense for the Italian Air Force, and later in a modernized version known as the Predator XP for the UAE (United Arab Emirates).
Predator A established the GA-ASI legacy of offering a long-lasting multi-mission UAV with integrated sensors and data link systems for persistent knowledge of the situation and fast attack capabilities. The Predator series continues to stand out in combat environments and in conducting civil surveillance missions. David R. Alexander, president of GA-ASI, said “We are proud of our long and distinguished history of support for the combatant. From Predator A to Predator B, Gray Eagle, Avenger® and their various mission configurations, our aircraft and payload systems continue to respond to the changing mission requirements of the US military and civilian users, and from allied countries."
Throughout its 25-year history, the Predator series fleets have flown nearly six million flight hours. GA-ASI is developing the new version of the series, MQ-9B SkyGuardian, that meets the airworthiness certification and air traffic management requirements that will allow the UAV to operate in the NAS (National Airspace System).