[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence video] Gray Eagle-ER to be deployed in Kim Jong-un decapitation operation

[Asia Economy Military Specialist Yang Nak-gyu] The latest unmanned reconnaissance and attack drone 'Gray Eagle' (MQ-1C), recently deployed at Camp Humphreys of the US Forces Korea, has been unveiled. This is the first time the US Forces Korea has revealed the Gray Eagle, and it is evaluated as a warning message against the possibility of North Korea provocations such as intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) around the time of the inauguration of the Joe Biden administration in January next year.

The photos released on Facebook by the 4th Battalion of the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division stationed at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, show the deployment of the Gray Eagle (MQ-1C) and Apache Guardian. The Gray Eagle, an upgraded version of the Predator (MQ-1), is a medium-altitude unmanned aircraft with a length of 8 meters and a wingspan of 17 meters, capable of flying up to 30 hours at a maximum speed of 280 km/h. It has the capability to conduct 24-hour continuous flights and high-definition surveillance over the entire Korean Peninsula. Notably, it can be equipped with four Hellfire anti-tank missiles capable of attacking enemy tanks approximately 8 km away, and four of the latest small precision-guided bombs, the GBU-44/B 'Viper Strike.' In case of emergency, it can directly strike key targets north of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in North Korea. This implies it can also be used for elimination operations against the North Korean regime's leadership or commanders.

The Gray Eagle can conduct joint operations with the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter and manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) to attack North Korean mechanized units and air-cushioned landing craft with missiles in emergencies. It also has the function of transmitting enemy movements in real-time to the Apache helicopter to guide precise attacks. The unmanned drone is sent first to reconnoiter enemy territory, and the following Apache Guardian attack helicopter receives reconnaissance information from the drone to attack from behind. In the future, the Apache Guardian attack helicopter is expected to have the capability to directly control the unmanned drone. The US Forces Korea’s simultaneous unveiling of the Apache helicopter this time also seems intended to emphasize the possibility of manned-unmanned joint operations.

Meanwhile, the US Forces Korea is also known to plan to deploy six additional 'Gray Eagle-ER (Extended Range)' drones within this year. The Gray Eagle-ER not only increases flight time and armament capacity by about 50% compared to the existing Gray Eagle but also has the capability to guide anti-ship ballistic missiles capable of destroying North Korean naval vessels.

The Gray Eagle-ER is an upgraded version of the Gray Eagle unmanned attack drone (MQ-1C) capable of flying for more than 40 hours. Its armament includes Hellfire anti-tank missiles capable of attacking enemy tanks about 8 km away and the latest small precision-guided bombs such as the GBU-44/B 'Viper Strike,' with a total payload capacity of about 1 ton of bombs and missiles. It has a wingspan of 17.4 meters, a length of 8.1 meters, a maximum speed of 280 km/h, and a maximum takeoff weight of 1,890 kg. Additionally, it is equipped with the Lynx Block 30A long-range radar and Synthetic Aperture Radar/Ground Moving Target Indicator (SAR/GMTI) to detect targets up to 75 km away.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.