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.
B-52 Stratofortress bombers marked a new first in Operation Epic Fury when some of the BUFFs flew over Iran carrying JDAM-guided gravity bombs, according to people familiar with the matter. The development signals a weakening of Iranian air defenses and a new use for the venerable bomber in the nearly…