MQ-1 Predator Drone: The Eye in the Sky

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References:
(1) www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Shee...
(2) www.airspacemag.com/flight-to...
(3) www.ga-asi.com
(4) Above is graphic of the take-off, loiter and landing process. web.archive.org/web/201306010...
(5) www.airforce-technology.com/p...
(6) www.ainonline.com/aviation-ne...
(7) www.dvidshub.net/search?q=mq-...
(8) number 7 is good for photos of the predator.

[@Jsh0w]

Please consider the GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM. The GPS is one hell of a mega project.

[@pokiparkassistent]

Got an upvote just because you tried for a while now to get the video about gps

[@LarsaXL]

It sure is, and unlike most of the videos, it will be about something we actually make use of.

[@Antoine7881]

Yes! A mega project for sure!

[@Souchirouu]

Fun fact: Most of the GPS satellites used in Europa are part of China's BeiDou network.

[@MikeThaiger]

Not just the GPS but even the 2 other positioning systems that is up there too.

[@Rollin8.0]

Mig pilot: "crap I nearly died, I'm going to get this sucker!" Predator pilot: "I just got shot down. Oh well, time for lunch"

[@andrewdoesyt7787]

If a MiG pilot got shot down he wouldn’t be talking anymore 🤣

[@harderdaddyowo2153]

More like, I just got shot down... Im going to hear it from my Commander tomorrow morning

[@tigersharkzh]

8:20 The Rotax 914 isn't a Turboprop, it's a turbo charhed 4 stroke 4 cylinder engine. A turboprop engine is a turbine engine that drives an aircraft propeller.

[@martinmatola688]

I was about to write the same thing. 😅

[@YardenJZ]

Came here to see if anyone has already caught that before I comment!

[@richardmillhousenixon]

To be fair, it is a 4cyl turbo-prop engine, it's just not a turboprop engine...

[@tigersharkzh]

@@richardmillhousenixon No, just drop the "prop" from your description. It soesn't matter if it has a - in it or not, it's just wrong and missleading. Trust me, I was a ground engineer for a major airline for 37 years.

[@richardmillhousenixon]

@@tigersharkzh It is a 4 cylinder turbo(charged) propeller engine. It's not a turboprop because its not a turbine engine, but it is a turbocharged propeller engine meaning it is technically a turbo-prop, just not a literal turboprop

[@aceman67]

The footage recorded by the drone at the Battle of Roberts Ridge was the first time a Medal of Honor action was captured on film.

[@rorschach7507]

And here it's mistakenly called "Roberts Bridge" Plus i've read somewhere it's rumoured to being made into a movie, if that's correct then it should be awesome.

[@toymachine2328]

Mega Projects idea: Simon Whistler's KZbin channel collection

[@Highfrequencydj]

😂😂

[@marshallcarhart579]

You can’t just casually mention the MQ-9 and not make a video about it

[@ybing]

and the Avenger? lol

[@terenceconnors9627]

Especially as the Reaper has mounted the ARGUS-IS sensor since 2014. PBS's NOVA was permitted limited access to the ARGUS program back in 2013. The capabilities revealed were staggering in their implications. Imagine what the US government didn't want known. You could easily fit highly capable LiDAR in that mount, and I'd bet ground-penetrating radar is possible, too.

[@sibire8284]

@@terenceconnors9627 see this is why civilian owned surface to air missiles need to be commonplace

[@terenceconnors9627]

@@sibire8284 I'd lay odds you'll be able to find plans online for one built using commercial off-the-shelf parts within 2 years, if something's not already available. The real challenge is stabilizing the electronics against the accelerations involved; some kind of non-conductive polymer similar to what's used in naval electronics might do the job. Rockets, sensors, motors, CPUs, you can purchase them all on-line. Explosives are a different issue, one that would probably have you talking with the FBI and BATF. Enjoy that discussion.

[@kekistanimememan170]

@@sibire8284 every site the us goverment could use for drone is known. The people could shut down all the runways in a month.

[@UAVChief]

Thank you! Having worked with UAS for the last 25 years, I was impressed with your presentation of its history and its capabilities. I would enjoy seeing you make a Sideprojects episode on the current fleet of UAS used by the US and other nations. It's important to note that while there is no one "in" these aircraft, there is always a person, or in most cases many people, controlling/monitoring it and the information it is sending back. This is hardly ever highlighted in most media.

[@johnp139]

It is more manpower intensive than any manned aircraft system. Especially when you consider that analysis that goes into all of the data collected.

[@UAVChief]

@@johnp139 - I totally agree! There a "human in the loop" every phase of the operation. Unfortunately, I've had many conversations with civilians and (sad to say) military folks that think these aircraft are operating as some kind of autonomous Transformer, making decisions and firing munitions on their own. I'm sure you will see comments in this thread that display that belief.

[@voodoo148]

@@SlocketSeven to extent yeah, its probably true. There is always a possibility that the UAV can lose its satellite link to the ground control station, this starts a lost link procedure where it will be programed to go or fly a certain course. So its possible that it was programed to fly to this airport under no ones control.

[@UAVChief]

@@voodoo148 - I concur. Every UAS that I am aware of has some sort of emergency procedure like this for a "lost link" situation. It will usually loiter in a designated (safe) location to avoid interference with other aircraft and give the operators time to correct the problem and notify others (higher-ups, airfield, etc,...). An automated emergency recovery would occur typically when the aircraft's fuel level hits BINGO.

[@voodoo148]

@@UAVChief it depends if its been programed correctly www.independent.ie/irish-news/missing-chad-drone-may-have-tried-to-fly-home-26497563.html whoops!

[@andrewslovak1]

Just an FYI, a "4 cylinder turboprop" doesn't make any sense. It looks like the 914 Rotax is a traditional 4 stroke combustion engine. It is turbocharged but that's not quite the same thing as a turbo prop. A turbo prop uses a turbine to drive a compressor which mixes with fuel and ignites to drive, well, the tribune and a shaft connected to a propellor whereas this engine uses a turbocharger to compress air and mix with fuel in a cylinder.

[@yayayayya4731]

Yes. I thought of the same thing too and wanted to comment it. But saw your comment and decided to like it instead.

[@unclebob6728]

On You Tube, they don't let facts get in the way of a good story. I call It - Pseudo History and Pseudo Science. Thanks for the video Dr, Felton!

[@ludgatecircus15]

Simon - you are my go to man on the internet. I just wanted to thank you for your hard work, in particular for expanding your coverage to new channels. Well done.

[@ThisHandleIsNotAvailableYall]

12:41 Those A-10s are ones formerly operated by the 188th Wing, current operators of MQ-9 Reapers. Cool coincidence.

[@robertgarrett5009]

A Rotax is a two stroke engine used mainly in ski-doo water and snow craft, made in Canada. the version your probably thinking of is a turbo charged version. Not a turboprop. These Engines are well known for their reliability and fuel efficiency.

[@scythefaraday5122]

I know everyone is talking about the engine, but few are talking about the aircraft itself. During the video there are graphics of the MQ-1, but also of the MQ-1C Gray Eagle and the MQ-9 Reaper.

[@timesathousand]

Please Consider: Henry Ford's first assembly line factory.

[@GeorgeEstregan828]

No

[@kaiyack]

The rouge plant is mega too. Vertically integrated steel mill and autoplant. Mmmmmm.

[@christopherallen1138]

Yeah the Rouge plant would also be good

[@hankw69]

I remember when these were in the prototype stages at Edwards AFB. I worked in the electrical shop and we were tasked with servicing the long row of batteries. Each weighed around 83 lbs and could seriously damage your mid-section if lifted improperly. But they were a good, modern design and only needed minor servicing to function.

[@rubiconnn]

10:53 "They identified a man who matched his height, wore long white robes, and had a beard". Yes, there can only be one tall guy with white robes and a beard in the middle east. It must be Bin Laden.

[@marc0523]

Seeing as Bin Laden was shot years later... I wonder who it was?

[@James.576]

"Probably Bin Laden" 😂

[@RAS_Squints]

Simon 'Small Band of nerds' Business Blaze Homer: 'NEERDS!'

[@Midnight-Marauder]

It was actually called Roberts Ridge...

[@anguskeenan4932]

Yeah my bad, must have accidentally hit the B key haha

[@danimal341]

Yeah was going to comment this. Great book as well.

[@xram2010]

Glad I wasn't the only one questioning that

[@jb76489]

9:05 fun fact, the hellfire is so accurate there is a variant, AGM-114R9X, that doesn’t have a warhead but rather blades that pop out before impact turning the missile into a giant, rocket propelled slap chop

[@ethanilsley9496]

This was just recently used to kill the current…. (Well not current anymore) leader of the taliban.

[@odstclose2962]

Naughty dictators get the aerial slap chop

[@mycroft16]

On of my favorite aircraft. Whether it was in recon or combat mode this thing was terrifying. You never knew if one was around, and if it was, you were being watch, and potentially fired on. The MQ-9 is just awesome as well. The Global Hawk drone is another great one to cover and even sees use in Hurricane hunting with overflights.

[@idontrembe1]

I always thought that the MQ-1 should be named Basilisk. Because if it looks at you, you are pretty much screwed! Great Video BTW.

[@oscarmuffin4322]

The Rotax 914 isn't a "turboprop" engine. It's a turbocharged engine. A turboprop is a turbine engine with a propeller attached. The fact that you said it has 4 cylinders instantly disqualifies it from being a turboprop.

[@palethorpe01]

Can I put one in my GoKart?

[@MisterAndrewBuckley]

@@palethorpe01 yes but it'll never fly 😁

[@palethorpe01]

@@MisterAndrewBuckley well that depends on how hard I hit the kerbs...

[@steverambo1648]

I got to meet Mr Karem once and was personal friends with 2 others from the Leading Systems team. Awesome piece of tech

[@hiddenhood483]

I get chills almost every outtro they are just too good

[@NorrlandPow]

Love your show! I think you meant "The battle of Roberts ridge", in wich the USAF combat controller John A. Chapman was posthumously awarded the medal of honor.

[@detectiverohan]

Wasn't he awarded TWO medals of honor? Or am I wrong?

[@MaceTrek]

@@detectiverohan No, just the one, and it took a HELL of a lot of work to get him that one, including reviewing the footage from the Predator that was overhead at the time. The Navy Seal who abandoned him on the ridge was given a MOH a few years earlier, for tactically abandoning TSgt Chapman on the field of battle. Chapman survived long enough to destroy a machine gun nest, and fight until his last breath, preventing the Taliban fighters from engaging his team's helicopter. He's the first Airmen to be awarded a MOH during the Afghan war/GWOT.

[@rorschach7507]

@@MaceTrek given a MOH for leaving a man behind? How does that work? Doesn't sound right to me.

[@MaceTrek]

@@rorschach7507 It's a pretty crazy story, the US Navy/Seal Community fought Chapman's award of the MOH, believing it would damage their reputation, alot of people believe that Slabinski should have stayed behind to recover TSgt Chapman's (still living) body, but that he retreated in an unbecoming way, and they navy covered that up by submitting him for an MOH himself. The book Alone At Dawn by Dan Schilling and Lori Chapman Longfritz goes into some of this, though, it could be considered slightly biased (Lori Longfritz was TSgt Chapman's sister).

[@wiryantirta]

13:02 can you imagine what would’ve happened if the predator’s stinger actually hit the Mig25. “hahaha rc-plane launched manpad missile go brrrrrr”

[@alanhelton]

I flew the Army version, the Warrior... Great but heavy times.

[@pranjalsharma479]

Whats the NVH like 😂 . . . . . jk man

[@top6ear]

When I was in Afghanistan a soldier let me use the remote viewer for the camera, the tablet sized piece with microwave transceiver

[@joeyr7294]

🇺🇲👍 thanks for your service 🍻

[@Livi_Noelle]

I was in Huachuca while they were testing the Israeli drones way back in '96. The Army gave me the option of becoming a drone pilot. I opted to be 96R1P instead.

[@corylabove6851]

RIP Warrior-A. 😭

[@VegasFlyboy]

Worked these for a couple years down range. Genuinely cool little aircraft.

[@InSidious1805]

Mega projects suggestion: Shell Refinery in Baytown, Texas or any other large chemical refinery. The infrastructure is massive with many miles of pipes.

[@fsxflyer253]

Oil refineries in general are absolutely fascinating.

[@kaiyack]

Hovensa in st croix was pretty massive too

[@ChopperBruce]

Please consider the Distant Early Warming (DEW) Line. This was an early warning system that required the construction and supply of 63 installations well inside of the Arctic circle

[@joeyr7294]

14:00 very true Simon, think about it when buying a desktop or laptop...by the time it hits the shelf to be sold a newer version is being produced in the factory!

[@spyersecol0013]

I am seeing a piston engine and you are saying turbo-prop Then you show a turbine engine. Since I am a (retired) Airframe and Powerplant technician (airplane mechanic) I know the difference between the 3 types you mentioned. I hate to say this but you got it wrong.

[@dougaltolan3017]

"A 4 cylinder turbo-prop" got my attention, you said it much better though.

[@AAaa-pm3rr]

Editing...

[@Jack-hg1hq]

yep and they got the power of the trent wrong too

[@punxnotdead185]

Same thing I was just about to say but you already said it lol.

[@WarblesOnALot]

G'day, SighMann is a mindless Talking Head, who unblinkingly unthinkingly unhesitatingly says whatever his pet tame Scribe "Danny"writes for him. Danny should have to write out 1,000 times ; "Turbo-CHARGED Does NOT Equal Turbo-Prop...!" They also neglected to mention the brand new Predator which flew off from Abdurdistan to Iran and landed at an Air Force Base, while defecting to a Team of Radio & Computer Experts from China. The Proletariat must nyet be peturbedski, y'see...! Such is Life Happy Solstice Festival. ;-p Ciao ! Such is Life

[@dwchen1]

Simon, you explaining the size, weight, and height of the MQ-1 Predator with graphic of MQ-9 Reaper which is much larger in size.

[@swanchonglong8]

Do an update! Cover the MQ-9 Reaper next!

[@michaelpipkin9942]

Thank you so much for focusing on planes. It's fantastic.

[@jonathanwhistler9081]

First of all nice to meet another Whistler not many of us out there, second enjoyed this video considering i have been apart of this program since 2007. This is definitely a more accurate than others, keep up the videos.

[@johnp139]

500 miles away from the operators, more like 5,000+ miles away.

[@thefunkosaurus]

Reminds me of a song.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3WphXuff7dpabc

[@oldenweery7510]

Yeah, I wondered about that myself, but I'm 80 and subject to doubting my memory. I thought I recalled that the Predators in the war zones were controlled from here in the US. Thanks. Stay safe. Happy Holidays!

[@Markle2k]

That's the 12-hour loiter combat radius. They can be controlled from anywhere with a satellite connection. This script seems like it was edited down from a much longer original by someone with no contact with the original author and little knowledge of the subject.

[@henryv.3272]

@@Markle2k I know a little about these aircraft and know that they can stay in the air for a long time. There is a phrase that is used about these aircraft which is "you can run if you want to, you will just die tired" Meaning they can follow a target for longer than you can stay awake to give you an idea of how long these can operate. The MQ-9ER (Extended Range) has external fuel tanks and larger wings that greatly extend its time in the air. What this video missed is how many versions there are, and how many different countries now have these aircraft. Also to be very clear these are permitted to fly over US airspace without an escort (another plane) since they lack a sense and avoid capability. Basically they don't have radar and don't know what is around them at all so they can fly into a tree, a mountain, a building or another plane.

[@Markle2k]

@@henryv.3272 There are other drones and the MQ-9 has been exported, but the USAF has put the MQ-1 into unrecoverable storage. None were exported. They stripped them of their avionics, and, of course, the mobile control units were designed to be able to be used with future drones.

[@D0P1C3]

ThrustSSC first land vehicle to officially break the sound barrier Simon please

[@StinkPickle4000]

Great Vids guys I've been watching lots but this is first time I have ever found something worthy of commenting on... Correction: the rotax 914 is not a "turbo-prop" engine, it is at most a turbocharged piston engine, huge difference. The Rotax is like a snowmobile engine with turbo, a "turbo-prop" is pretty exotic/rare for most people and more closely related to the turbo jet engine you showed.

[@GleichUmDieEcke]

Actually came here to say the same. I don't usually comment, but that one grated on me.

[@nhwilkinosn]

Yeah... The rotax isn't a turbo prop. Hell, he even showed the cylinders 🤣

[@Esser44]

Came here to say the same. It was actually a highly modified 914 with an aftermarket high altitude turbo that was positioned on the top of the engine instead of the bottom. It was also fitted with an aftermarket fuel injection system. The engines were converted by Rotech in Vernon British Columbia

[@StinkPickle4000]

@@Esser44 Thanks for the extra info, that's really cool... I've been to Vernon lol

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Simon has truly found his calling... to research and report. Only the called can make it look so easy and smooth.

[@GlenHunt]

I love the blurry Ryan Air logo. On par with their execution of business.

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

The MQ1 has an inverted V tail. The MQ9 has a V-shaped tail. They are two *quite* different aircraft.

[@6973chris2]

What about the MQ-9 MQ-20 RQ-4 and so on? I'd love to see videos on those aircraft

[@hellopinkham]

Jeremy S is onto something.. a deep dive into the technology and the origins of GPS would be a fitting subject for, this; or one of the hundreds of other channels like, "Side projects" or "Today I found out". Thank you and thanks to your team for the great content.

[@sackerproguy]

Ace! Well presented!

[@gatling216]

What's not often realized is that the Predator and its descendants have probably saved more lives than any other modern battlefield advancement. Being able to precisely locate and target an enemy position, then engage it with smart munitions, exponentially reduces the risk to everyone involved in the operation except for the target on the receiving end. When you're operating in urban environments, every missed shot means dead civilians. A single, well placed missile can easily destroy a hostile target, without doing anything more than rattling the windows of the neighboring building.

[@metatron6066]

Funny how they still manage to murder so many children with them still 🤔

[@intello8953]

Is this the type of drone that during Obamas years killed so many innocent people?

[@henryv.3272]

At you 7:45 mark you have your images mixed up. The upward facing rear flight control surfaces (they refer to them as rudder-vaders) are for the Predator B (MQ-9), and not the Predator A (MQ-1).

[@paulbelcher745]

Superb sum up

[@dreytucker4464]

Loved this video

[@Dr.RichardBanks]

While working EOR in HOA I waved at an MQ-1 in 2010, its camera system waved back 😅 good times.

[@ScootrRichards]

My father worked on rc drones during WW2 used to train navy gunners to shoot down kamikazes. Yes, they would fly the drones right into the ships. Usually the gunners got them first.

[@Nexfero]

I love this drone!

[@tomclark6271]

BTW, the configuration of this UAV is not an inverted Y tail, it's an inverted V tail. Less drag than other designs.

[@leviburki8722]

Please consider: SpaceX‘s Starship or the first landing orbital rocket booster, Falcon 9 or Falcon Heavy

[@limewoof]

Hey Simon, so the 914 Rotax is a piston engine (how ever it is turbo charged). A turboprop is a turbine (jet engine) driven propeller which uses a gearbox between the two

[@whitepony8443]

You are the best, Simon.

[@houseofvenusMD]

I love this stuff❤️

[@KkevrockK]

Why wouldn’t I let Simon fill my ear holes even more. Although I’m familiar with most of the topics you cover, the colour and enthusiasm you add to their stories is always worth the refresh. And as a suggestion maybe you want to look at confederation bridge in Canada as a future project?

[@Viper-dn8ix]

Hey Simon! You should do a video on Denver International Airport. It's the largest airport in the world (King Fahd doesn't count...), fifth busiest in the USA, and the 15th busiest in the WORLD!) The airport has its share of conspiracy theories, gorgeous architecture, and plenty of budget overruns! It's truly a spectacular place that is deserving of a mega projects video.

[@TheTarrMan]

I remember being a kid in the mid 90s reading about those in a magazine called "Popular Science".

[@bondisteve3617]

Thanks Simon.

[@theangelbelow88]

This thing is literally the precursor to the Hunterkiller drone from the Terminator franchise

[@ignitionfrn2223]

1:05 - Chapter 1 - Early iterations 4:00 - Chapter 2 - Abraham karem 7:30 - Chapter 3 - Design 10:10 - Chapter 4 - Service 13:25 - Chapter 5 - Retirement

[@supertyfon1736]

The Rotax 914 is a 1.2 liter flat 4 piston engine the MQ-9 is powered by a Garret now Honeywell TPE-331-10 Turboprop.

[@skyden24195]

I live near a USAF Reserves training base, and I regularly see the drone being flown for training and testing purposes. It's fun to see it flying. It is also odd; because of the design you might not expect the drone to sound like a very quiet Cessna. :-)

[@MichaelRacer]

Since you did an episode on the MQ-1 Predator, are you gonna do one on the MQ-9 Reaper?

[@beachboy0505]

Funny thing. So many countries successfully took inspiration from this drone and made their own versions and used in recent conflicts.

[@the_hanged_clown]

fresh out of high school the Air Force trained me to analyze the footage of the Global Hawk and Predators. when we did overwatch in Iraq and Afghanistan supporting boots on the ground one of our main goals was to look for IEDs but then I found out we only found a mere 4% of all IEDs discovered...

[@thegoober8797]

Did you serve during 2009-2014, I was a mq1 sensor op. We probably talked in mIRC

[@RobertSmith-yj1nc]

@@thegoober8797I also operated the Mq1. I served from 96-16.

[@andymouse]

Fascinating...cheers.

[@johnp139]

4 cylinder turboprop engine? I didn’t know that turbine engines use cylinders/pistons.

[@sadams12345678]

He probably meant "turbocharged" Engine

[@Raul_Menendez]

One of the few weapons systems that changed warfare as we know it.

[@CT9905.]

Very informative.

[@mushroomninja68]

learning why the tail is pointed down now makes sense, thanks for the info 🙂

[@Ihasanart]

Simon, you should do a side-projects episode on the AGM-114R9X. Related to the MQ-1's development lineage its a AGM-114 Hellfire II missile variant thats designed as a no-collateral missile, it has no warhead, but instead has 5 popout sword-like blades to turn its target into salsa.

[@gdheib0430]

pffft...salsa would be envious of the fine material those blades create ;)

[@Logic44]

The aftermath of the cars look metal as fuck, you can literally see where the blades cut through the car roof...

[@Swelackattack]

Hey Simon, loving the amount of content you're putting out! Small point: 4 cylinder and turboprop are terms that cannot be used to describe the same engine due to fundamental differences in how they operate.

[@powdermuaythai]

great video, got yourself a sub sir!

[@agent_meister477]

I love how Simon DRONES on about these things 😋

[@gwentchamp8720]

At 12:15, the Battle of Takur Ghar was known as the "Battle of Roberts Ridge" not "Bridge" as was incorrectly stated in this video. Also incorrect at 11:58, this video states that the F-22 Raptor was involved in that battle. However the battle took place in 2002, and the 1st recorded combat mission of the F-22 was in 2014 in Syria. Also incorrect at 7:54, the video shows an image of an MQ-9 Reaper instead of the MQ-1 Predator -they are not the same. Simon, you need to get your facts correct !!

[@quokka7555]

They also wrote “Libia”, as opposed to, Libya*

[@gwentchamp8720]

@@quokka7555 Just sloppy in IMO. I think Simon is just churning these out too fast w/o doing enough research.

[@ziragorn]

Do a video on the KC-135! Almost as old as the buff and a rich history

[@pyeitme508]

Amazing

[@user-ot7mu7ny1k]

The Battle of Roberts Bridge either took place in a year other than 2002 or it didn’t include F-22s. The Raptor didn’t enter service until 2006!

[@cuddlepaws4423]

It was inevitable that drones would become part of the military. How long have people been using model aircraft? I'm kind of surprised it didn't happen sooner.

[@fvckyoutubescensorshipandt2718]

Still waiting on the Bingham Canyon Mine. Also still waiting for the world's biggest man-made landslide to half fill that in in a few seconds as well.

[@aaronjohnson4595]

This was a good one

[@ozone5100]

Having been deployed during the War in Bosnia, I got to see the Predator up close. Working beside the runway and seeing this strange aircraft was un-nerving. No pilot. Non standard design. Sounded like a nest of hornets. The ones I saw were the un-armed ones. That was one of the most memorable deployments for me. Also got to watch Mig-21's launch and recover too

[@denniskoppo4259]

If such a capable asset was "retired" its inevitable replacement must be really something

[@cooldudecs]

We have an amazing millennial generation

[@xiro6]

8:17 its not a turboprop,its powered by a 4 piston engine.

[@dougduchateau443]

I'd love the see you discuss ITER and/or the R101

[@nbookie]

I've sat in training classes on certain radio systems used on various platforms giving instruction to maintainers from just about every country on earth. Poor or wealthy. Today these platforms are cheap enough and reliable enough to now be used by every industry and military on earth.

[@TheWatz05]

Having worked on flight lines and watched normal craft taxi watching and barely hearing this craft taxing was creepy.

[@i0ntempest]

8:41 "4 cylinder turboprop"??? You probably mean turbo charged piston driven prop

[@rickym5474]

The Manapouri dam would make an awesome Mega Project.

[@mnsquatch1900]

Robert's Ridge, named after Navy SEAL Neil C. Roberts(M.O.H.), and not to be picky, but the battle of Takur Ghar happened in March 2002. The F-22 did not even enter service until 2005 I believe.

[@joboring8397]

I was looking for this comment. This is what I thought but who knows what is actually true ever

[@joshuamiller5017]

Do a follow up on the MQ-9 (Predator B) I love your videos and the effort put into these, however one single inaccurate thing that I feel needs to be pointed out is the MQ-1 didn’t have a turbo prop engine. It had a conventional piston engine, it was depicted correctly but spoken to incorrectly. I know you strive for the best so maybe you can fix it 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@gringotom242]

Great overview of a wonderful life saving machine

[@grrjr215]

Since you mentioned Chinooks in this video, a megaproject video on a helicopter that has been in use since the late 50s I believe qualifies. Granted I'm biased since I worked on them for 20 years.

[@pierdelecto2612]

Can't wait to have mine. I just traded my Skydio2+ and DJI mavic 2 for this.

[@MikeMan21070]

Last time I was this early planes still had pilots

[@sundhaug92]

The U-2 still flies

[@MinistryOfMagic_DoM]

Drones have been around since the very early 1900s. As such, you've never been early before because KZbin came out in 2006. Congratulations. You Wooshed yourself.

[@MikeMan21070]

@@MinistryOfMagic_DoM its a joke, 90% of planes still have pilots

[@harlyquin]

9:08 just wondering, is there a down side to using the "Y" tail?, if so i fail to understand why the propeller is so important to save in a crash and thats even if the inverted Y shape would even save the propeller in a crash, is the propeller worth more than the rest of the plane and what if it crash lands over the ocean? saving the propeller from breaking would be pointless if it sinks to the bottom of the ocean, maybe a tracking device has been installed onto the propeller for just such an incident, this leaves me to wonder would the propeller be worth the cost and risk to human life tho im guessing submergible drones could be utilized for a deep sea propeller recovery mission, but would the propellers on the submergible drone or drones also need or use a "Y" shaped tail to prevent damage in a crash under water?

[@alanbrickey2617]

With the prop at the rear, it's real easy to have a prop strike on take off. I don't know if you noticed the tail configuration on the newer MQ-9, it has a "Y" arrangement that is right side up. It uses the vertical stabilizer mounted on the bottom of the plane to help prevent a prop ground strike.

[@harlyquin]

@@alanbrickey2617 yep, i know, i said what i said because he said "crash"

[@discovolante6624]

@@alanbrickey2617 um, im pretty sure harlyquin was making a joke

[@ivicamilosavljevic4706]

It Is "inverted V tail" or "A tail", that can be udes instead of ailerons, to make rolls, yaw, turns etc. With only few servo motors and mixed commands...

[@harlyquin]

@@ivicamilosavljevic4706 whats the down side to using a v tail?

[@taylormoyer1150]

simon, PLEASE DO ONE ON THE F-16 FIGHTING FALCON. I'd like to show some of the craziness of working on them. much love from a british defector(american) lol

[@codidevlugt2153]

I would love a video on the A-10 Warthog. A plane with a gun so big they built the plane around the gun.