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Publish Date : 12-Nov-2015

The United Arab Emirates' procurement of the unarmed Predator XP is enabling General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to stand up a new business model to export unmanned air vehicles to countries outside of NATO.

Until 2011, General Atomics was barred from offering Predator-class planes to those outside of the alliance, and the firm has spent several years navigating the strict US regulatory environment that has stymied sales in the past.

General Atomics has developed a template for future business pursuits, through this direct commercial sale, blessed by the US state department.

It also has a launch customer for its latest product, the Predator XP, and can begin ironing out training procedures and operational protocols.

The UAE air force's future UAV pilots will soon start training with their country-specific Predator XP at General Atomics' recently leased Castle Dome training site at the US Army's Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona.

General Atomics regional director of strategic development, Jim Thomson, said the UAE air force is setting up "one system" initially which typically is comprised of three or four planes and two Block 30 ground control stations. The set-up enables the UAE to maintain one 24/7 combat air patrol anywhere within its satellite area.

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