2009-11-09 18:32 The Predator is a long-endurance, medium-endurance, medium-altitude, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) originally designed for surveillance and reconnaissance. Later models (MQ-1) were fitted with Hellfire missiles for high priority targets. The Predator entered service in 1997 but did not receive notoriety until 2001 in Afghanistan when it was used by the USAF. Over 150 of these MQ-1s have been in service since, mainly because of its operational ceiling of 25,000 ft. and capability to handle a light payload. The MQ-1s are also referred to as "Reaper Hunter/Killers."