UAV manufacturer General Atomics began flight testing of a larger, stealthier UAV named Avenger.

Formerly known as Predator C, the new jet powered UAV made its first flights on April. 4th, 2009. The UAV's shape reflects the designer's goal to reduce the aircraft electromagnetic and thermal signature.The UAV is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545B engine feeding from the curved dorsal intake, mitigating radar reflections from the turbine blades from radar reflections. The exhaust is partly shielded by the V-tail, which also adds educing the aircraft thermal signature, while serpentine exhaust eliminates radar reflections from inside the engine. The Avenger is designed to fly a 20 hour mission and has an operational ceiling of 60,000 ft and brings into play a cruising speed is 400 knots.
The unmanned aircraft can accept different payloads weighing up to 3,000 lbs., including EO, radar, and electronic payloads, as well as weapons (i.e., GBU-38 Laser/JDAM), stored in an internal weapons bay and underwing. For stealthy missions, all weapons are carried internally. The Avenger could also perform stealthy recon missions, using a semi-submerged, wide-area surveillance payload configured to fit into the weapon's bay. On non stealthy missions, the bay can be used to carry fuel for additional 120 minutes of flight. To maintain the clean, stealthy underside, the Avenger will probably rely on specialized integral, conformal, or retractable payloads.

The Avenger represents the third level in the development of U.S. Air Force unmanned, tactical combat capability. First was the piston-engine Predator A (MQ-1) which was modified to carry laser guided weapons (Hellfire). The second generation was the turboprop powered Reaper (Predator B MQ-9), designed from the start with weapons carrying capability, plus higher speeds and ceiling. The new Predator C ads stealth performance, lacking with previous designs. This design brings U.S.A.F. unmanned assets in line with 5G aircraft, such as the F-35 Lightning II. According to Aviation Week's David Fulghum, the initial target customers would be the U.S.A.F. and R.A.F. The prototype was equipped with a tail hook, hinting at possible, future, naval carrier based testing. The hook can also shorten the landing run, particularly useful when used from forward operating bases.

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