General Atomics Aeronautical Systems on Monday unveiled a maritime version of its jet-powered Predator C Avenger unmanned aerial vehicle that has been offered to the Air Force. The company said in a release it formally proposed Sea Avenger, as it is known, on April 30 to the Navy to meet the sea service’s stated need for an unmanned carrier-based airborne surveillance and strike platform. Like Avenger, the company says Sea Avenger represents low-risk, mature-technology that leverages more than 18 years of experience in Predator-series development, production, and operations. It is capable of flying at 400 knots for 20 hours and can operate at up to 50,000 feet. It can hold up to 3,000 pounds of internal ordnance. The company also said Avenger, which made its maiden flight in April 2009, is proceeding through its test program, with a second aircraft expected to be built by year’s end.
The Pentagon is counting on Congress to navigate a legislative tightrope and pass a party-line bill to fund nearly a quarter of its $1.5 trillion budget request for fiscal 2027, including billions of dollars for top priorities like Golden Dome, the F-35, munitions, and unmanned systems. Experts and lawmakers from…