Difference between revisions of "MQ-1"

From War Thunder Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(Flight performance: Added values)
(Added pros and cons, usage in battles, and similar aircraft.)
Line 81: Line 81:
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
''The MQ-1 fills a good niche as the "everyman's CAS". It is available to everyone, which can be very beneficial to players who have not researched BR appropriate aircraft or helicopters. You start off by spawning at an altitude of 4000 meters above the battlefield. Your main priority is SPAA. They are usually found stationary at the enemy spawn. Destroying them will not only help your survival, but also enable your fellow helicopter/aircraft pilots to move in and provide better, uninterrupted CAS. If there are no SPAA around, your next target would be enemy tanks that are near/on the capture points. Once you fire both [[AGM-114K Hellfire II]] missiles, you have three options:''
 +
 
 +
# '''Loiter over the battlefield and provide reconnaissance:''' Just because you can no longer use your missiles doesn't mean you can't help your team! Fly around the battlefield and scan the area with your amazing optical camera. Once you spot any enemy vehicles that pose a threat to your team, quickly mark them on the map and tell your teammates using the in-game chat (alternatively if you have any squad mates, you can work with them and point out enemies nearby using the squad marker)
 +
# '''Land and rearm:''' Once the two ATGM's are used, reduce your throttle and glide towards the airbase. Once you land, begin any repairs and necessary rearming so you can take off. It should be worth noting that the MQ-1 (similar to other drones) suffers from a low speed and a horrid climb rate, making the return to base and return to the battlefield incredibly lengthy. Altitude is also the only saving grace of the MQ-1, as helicopters/attack aircraft will generally be at lower altitudes and SPAA's will have no trouble sending a very slow target back to the hangar screen. Consequently, fighting at low altitudes should be regarded as a suicide mission.
 +
# '''Bail out of the vehicle and spawn in a more capable vehicle:''' While it feels counterintuitive to bail out of a vehicle that cost 750 spawn points, it is the fastest and best way to get you back into the battle. Using the spawn points you accumulated from the two kills you scored, you can get enough to spawn another tank, an attack aircraft, or a helicopter. The advantage of this is that you should have cleared the path for you or other pilots to make some damage, as the SPAA's and anti air threats are no longer there.  
 +
 
 +
'''Enemies to look out for:'''
 +
 
 +
* Aircraft capable of high altitudes: Common soviet examples include the [[MiG-27M]], [[MiG-21 (Family)]], [[Su-7 (Family)]]. These aircraft are capable of climbing to your altitude. Once you are engaged there really is not much you can do other than attempt to turn away.  
 +
* SPAA (at low altitude)
 +
* Helicopters (at low altitude)
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
 
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".''
+
The MQ-1 Predator stands as an excellent measure against anti aircraft or enemies behind cover. The weapons provided are excellent, but few. Once all ammunition is used, the aircraft presents you with no choice but to bail out or go through the time consuming rearming process.  
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
 +
 +
* Spawns at altitude (4000 meters)
 +
* Access to two devastating [[AGM-114K Hellfire II]] missiles
 +
* Exceptional optical camera
 +
* Hard to counter by SPAA
 +
* Available to everyone (similar to the nuke planes)
 +
 
*
 
*
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
 +
 +
* Low max speed
 +
* Horrid climb rate
 +
* Access to only two ATGM's for a price higher than most helicopters and attack aircraft (which can carry more ATGM's)
 +
* A large amount of time will be spent going from spawn to the airfield to rearm and back - better off bailing out and spawning another tank, aircraft, or helicopter.
 +
 
*
 
*
  
Line 105: Line 128:
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
+
Similar Aircraft
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
+
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
* [[Orion]]
 +
* [[Wing Long I]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
Line 114: Line 138:
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
 
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 +
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''other literature.''
 
* ''other literature.''

Revision as of 03:22, 26 September 2022

Description

The MQ-1 is an American strike UCAV. It was introduced in Update "Drone Age".

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 1 000 m220 km/h
Turn time22 s
Max altitude7 500 m
EngineSNECMA Atar 9C
Type
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight1 t

Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.

Max speed
(km/h at 1,000 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
220 220 7500 22.0 22.0 2.5 2.5 250

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X X X X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
390 450 N/A N/A N/A ~__ ~__
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< ___ < ___ < ___ > ___

Survivability and armour

Crew0 people
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear450 km/h

Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.

Armaments

Suspended armament

List of setups (1)
Setup 12 x
Main article: AGM-114K Hellfire II

The MQ-1 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • 2 x AGM-114K Hellfire II missiles

Usage in battles

The MQ-1 fills a good niche as the "everyman's CAS". It is available to everyone, which can be very beneficial to players who have not researched BR appropriate aircraft or helicopters. You start off by spawning at an altitude of 4000 meters above the battlefield. Your main priority is SPAA. They are usually found stationary at the enemy spawn. Destroying them will not only help your survival, but also enable your fellow helicopter/aircraft pilots to move in and provide better, uninterrupted CAS. If there are no SPAA around, your next target would be enemy tanks that are near/on the capture points. Once you fire both AGM-114K Hellfire II missiles, you have three options:

  1. Loiter over the battlefield and provide reconnaissance: Just because you can no longer use your missiles doesn't mean you can't help your team! Fly around the battlefield and scan the area with your amazing optical camera. Once you spot any enemy vehicles that pose a threat to your team, quickly mark them on the map and tell your teammates using the in-game chat (alternatively if you have any squad mates, you can work with them and point out enemies nearby using the squad marker)
  2. Land and rearm: Once the two ATGM's are used, reduce your throttle and glide towards the airbase. Once you land, begin any repairs and necessary rearming so you can take off. It should be worth noting that the MQ-1 (similar to other drones) suffers from a low speed and a horrid climb rate, making the return to base and return to the battlefield incredibly lengthy. Altitude is also the only saving grace of the MQ-1, as helicopters/attack aircraft will generally be at lower altitudes and SPAA's will have no trouble sending a very slow target back to the hangar screen. Consequently, fighting at low altitudes should be regarded as a suicide mission.
  3. Bail out of the vehicle and spawn in a more capable vehicle: While it feels counterintuitive to bail out of a vehicle that cost 750 spawn points, it is the fastest and best way to get you back into the battle. Using the spawn points you accumulated from the two kills you scored, you can get enough to spawn another tank, an attack aircraft, or a helicopter. The advantage of this is that you should have cleared the path for you or other pilots to make some damage, as the SPAA's and anti air threats are no longer there.

Enemies to look out for:

  • Aircraft capable of high altitudes: Common soviet examples include the MiG-27M, MiG-21 (Family), Su-7 (Family). These aircraft are capable of climbing to your altitude. Once you are engaged there really is not much you can do other than attempt to turn away.
  • SPAA (at low altitude)
  • Helicopters (at low altitude)

Pros and cons

The MQ-1 Predator stands as an excellent measure against anti aircraft or enemies behind cover. The weapons provided are excellent, but few. Once all ammunition is used, the aircraft presents you with no choice but to bail out or go through the time consuming rearming process.

Pros:

  • Spawns at altitude (4000 meters)
  • Access to two devastating AGM-114K Hellfire II missiles
  • Exceptional optical camera
  • Hard to counter by SPAA
  • Available to everyone (similar to the nuke planes)

Cons:

  • Low max speed
  • Horrid climb rate
  • Access to only two ATGM's for a price higher than most helicopters and attack aircraft (which can carry more ATGM's)
  • A large amount of time will be spent going from spawn to the airfield to rearm and back - better off bailing out and spawning another tank, aircraft, or helicopter.

History

Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Similar Aircraft

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • other literature.


General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI)
Drones  MQ-1

Strike UCAVs
USA  MQ-1
USSR  Orion
China  Wing Loong I