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Britain procuring advanced Predator B aircraft

Britain has signed a $606.2 million deal for the purchase of Predator B remotely piloted aircraft.

By Richard Tomkins
The advanced Certifiable Predator B remotely piloted aircraft to be procured by Britain. Photo courtesy General Atomics
The advanced Certifiable Predator B remotely piloted aircraft to be procured by Britain. Photo courtesy General Atomics

LONDON, May 2 (UPI) -- Britain's Ministry of Defense is procuring 20 advanced Predator B remotely piloted aircraft from the United States for about $606.2 million.

The procurement of the Predators, also known as MQ-9 Reapers, is under a U.S. Foreign Military Sales deal that comes into effect in September, according to Britain's Government Contracts Finder.

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The Telegraph newspaper reported the new Predators from General Atomics will replace the country's current fleet of 10 armed Predators and will be able to fly for nearly twice as long and carry more bombs, missiles and sensors.

The newspaper said the new aircraft will have a flight endurance of nearly two days, and new computers will allow them to "fly in bad weather and survive ice, lightning and bird strikes."

The Predator B will be named the Protector by the Royal Air Force.

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