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The MQ-4A Greyhawk / K40 Ababil-3 is a fixed-wing Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle used by both NATO and Mediterranean CSAT forces, as well as in limited numbers with the AAF in ArmA 3.

Overview[]

  • Roles:
    • Observation
    • Laser targeting
    • Air-to-ground fire support
« The MQ-4A Greyhawk is a combat ready unmanned aerial vehicle. It's based on the proven U.S. design of MQ-9 with a turbo-propeller engine. It carries modernized tracking and tracing equipment and it has improved camouflage. OPFOR engineers and manufacturers were able to perfect construction, but their engines are less fuel effective. The OPFOR drone is labeled K40 Ababil-3. Both sides arm the drone with air-to-ground Scalpel missiles or laser guided bombs (CAS version).
Field Manual
»

Design[]

The Greyhawk is a medium-altitude, long-endurance aerial drone that can serve a variety of roles from surveillance to ground attack, and even air-to-air combat.

Arma3-Greyhawk-Loadout

MQ4A pylon configuration

Armament
It has two pylons in total with one on each wing (1-2) that support dynamic loadouts. Each pylon can be fitted with any of the following:

  • Falchion-22 (1×)
  • ASRAAM (1×)
  • Scalpel (1×)
  • Scalpel (3×)
  • Shrieker HE (7×)
  • Shrieker AP (7×)
  • DAR (12×)
  • DAGR (12×)
  • GBU-12 (1×)
  • Mk-82 (1×)
  • CBU-85 (1×)
  • BL778 (1×)

NOTE: The following munitions only apply to the CSAT K40 Ababil-3:

  • Scalpel (1×)
  • Scalpel (3×)
  • Tratnyr HE (20×)
  • Tratnyr AP (20×)
  • Skyfire (19×)
  • Sahr-3 (1×)
  • LOM-250G (1×)
  • RBK-500F (1×)

By manually taking control of the drone, the integrated laser designator can also be used to guide some of its own weapons such as DAGR rockets or precision bombs like the GBU-12. This also enables the Greyhawk to act in a forward air control role to mark targets for other aircraft.

Arma3-OPREP-Screenshot-01

LGB-armed Greyhawk variant.

Features
Its main advantages over the MQ-12 and the smaller KH-3A are that it can loiter for slightly longer periods of time over an area and is also able to carry heavier munitions instead of being restricted to just missiles and rockets.

The other upside is its low observability. Because of its minimalist design, the Greyhawk is particularly difficult to spot electronically and can remain invisible (electronically) from most airborne sensors; so as long as it remains at a low enough flying height or above ground clutter.

Drawbacks
Being a fixed-wing UCAV as opposed to a rotary-wing helicopter, the Greyhawk isn't as easy to use for laser marking ground targets from the air. It is also incapable of STOL take-offs and landings in stark contrast to the KH-3A while also lacking the agility of the MQ-12.

Variants[]

Arma3-render-greyhawkblue
Baseline variant armed with two racks (total of six) of air-to-ground Skalpel missiles. It supports dynamic loadouts and can be changed to load other types of munitions.

Arma3-render-greyhawkgreyhex
Identical in capability/armament to the baseline MQ-4A Greyhawk but exclusive to Mediterranean CSAT forces only.

Arma3-render-greyhawkcasblue
Similar to the baseline variant, this version also supports dynamic loadouts but is otherwise armed with twin GBU-12 laser guided bombs by default instead.

Arma3-render-greyhawkcasgreyhex
Identical to the CAS variant of the NATO Greyhawk. This variant simply eschews GBU-12s on the NATO variant in favour of carrying LOM-250G bombs.

Camouflage[]

All faction variants have access to the same camouflage options:

  • Blue: Two-tone pattern-less scheme that combines medium blue and gunship grey paint colours.
  • Grey Hex: Light/dark grey cell pattern camouflage.
  • Digital Grey: Digitised semi-fractal camouflage pattern used by several AAF aircraft and boats.

It should be noted that all of the patterns are not meant to help camouflage the Greyhawk/Ababil-3 into the ground from the air, but rather to blend it into the sky from the ground.

Protection[]

Both NATO Greyhawks and CSAT/AAF Ababil-3s have base armour values of 20.

Hull[]

The hull can take up to 60 points of damage before its integrity fails. At least 50% of incoming damage is always shared with the drone's main "health" pool. It takes 500% increased damage from high-explosive (HE) type munitions.

Engine[]

The engine can only withstand up to 30 points of damage before failing. 50% of damage will be transferred onto the drone's "health" pool. The engine always takes 200% increased damage from HE-type munitions.

If damaged: Lowers engine power output.
If destroyed: Causes total power loss.

Fuel tank[]

The fuel tank can only take a maximum of 60 points of damage before rupturing. Up to 50% of damage will be shared with the drone's "health" pool. It takes 400% increased damage from HE-type munitions.

If damaged: Causes fuel to gradually leak, up to 50% of the tank's current capacity.
If destroyed: Entire fuel tank will be depleted over several seconds.

Control surfaces[]

The drone's control surfaces consist of six components:

  • Ailerons (left/right)
  • Elevators (left/right)
  • Rudders (left/right)

All six components can resist 30 points of damage before failing (individually). They take 300% increased damage from HE-type munitions.

Depending on which specific control surface is hit, the drone's handling and agility will be degraded based on the severity of the component's damage.

Stealth[]

The Greyhawk's moderately-sized airframe grants it semi-stealth capability in all aspects. It is particularly difficult to track both visually and on infrared, and is next-to-impossible to spot on fighter radars assuming it remains above ground clutter:

RCS[]

The Greyhawk has a radar cross-section rating of 0.5, lowering the maximum detection range of opposing radars by half (50%).

IR[]

The Greyhawk has reduced visibility on the infrared spectrum, and can only be spotted at 50% of an infrared-based sensor's maximum range (factor of 0.5; reduction of 50%).

Visual[]

The Greyhawk is 30% less visible to visual-based sensors, and can only be seen at 70% of the sensor's default range (factor of 0.7).

Sensors[]

The Greyhawk's sensors suite is designed to allow it to operate primarily in ground attack missions:

Sensor type Max range (Air/Ground) Min range (Air/Ground) Affected by environment? (%) Target max speed (km/h) Azimuth coverage (°) Elevation coverage (°) Friendly identification range (m)
Infrared A: 3,000 m
G: 2,500 m
A: 500 m
G: 500 m
Fog (0.005%) 180 km/h 51° 37° 2,000 m
Laser A: 6,000 m
G: 6,000 m
A: 6,000 m
G: 6,000 m
Nothing 1e+10 km/h 180° 180° 0 m
NV A: 6,000 m
G: 6,000 m
A: 6,000 m
G: 6,000 m
Nothing 1e+10 km/h 180° 180° 0 m
Passive A: 6,000 m
G: 6,000 m
A: 6,000 m
G: 6,000 m
Nothing 1e+10 km/h 360° 360° 12,000 m
Visual A: 3,000 m
G: 2,500 m
A: 500 m
G: 500 m
Fog/Light (6%) 180 km/h 51° 37° 2,000 m

Infrared Sensor[]

The Greyhawk's IR Sensor is located in the targeting camera (represented by the orange cone on the SENSORS panel). Although it is technically affected by heavy fog, the range reduction effect is so miniscule (-0.15 metre reduction) that it will be barely noticeable.

Laser Sensor[]

The Greyhawk's Laser Sensor is forward-facing only. Any designated targets will become visible on the drone's SENSORS panel only when drone is (mostly) facing in the direction of the laser spot.

NV Sensor[]

The Greyhawk's NV Sensor is forward-facing only. Any IR grenades on the ground will only become visible on the SENSORS panel when the Greyhawk is (mostly) facing in the direction of the grenade.

Passive Radar[]

The Greyhawk's Passive Radar can detect Active Radar threats in any direction (regardless of the drone's facing direction). It is represented by the green circle on the SENSORS panel.

Visual Sensor[]

The Greyhawk's Visual Sensor is located in the targeting camera (represented by the orange cone on the SENSORS panel). The Visual Sensor can be affected by heavy fog and can lose up to 6% of its range depending on its thickness. The Visual Sensor becomes completely blind at nighttime and very low-light conditions.

Armament[]

NOTE: Only the weapons used on the default loadout for the Greyhawk are listed here. For full details on ordnance that can be mounted on the Greyhawk's pylons, refer to the dynamic loadouts article.

The Greyhawk's "gunner" AI controls all weapon systems mounted onto the wing hardpoints. The AI's camera pod has access to three fields of view which can also toggle a day, night or black-hot/white-hot thermal vision mode:

Skalpel[]

Arma3-vehicleweapons-mq4agreyhawk-skalpel

NOTE: Only available on the baseline MQ-4A Greyhawk / K40 Ababil-3 variants.

Main article: Dynamic loadouts#Skalpel

Infrared-guided air-to-ground anti-tank missiles. Relies on the Greyhawk's IR Sensor to function.

GBU-12[]

Arma3-vehicleweapons-mq4agreyhawk-gbu12

NOTE: Only available on the MQ-4A Greyhawk (CAS) / K40 Ababil-3 (CAS)* variants.

Main article: Dynamic loadouts#GBU-12

Laser-guided bomb. Relies on the Greyhawk's Laser Sensor to function.

(*) The CSAT K40 Ababil-3 (CAS) model is not capable of arming itself with GBU-12s by default. They are only available on this variant specifically; it will not be possible to replace them if the user attempts to rearm the Ababil-3 with GBU-12s after editing its pylons via dynamic loadouts.

Trivia[]

  • As stated in the Field Manual, the Greyhawk's design is inspired by the real-life "MQ-9 Reaper" UCAV designed by General Atomics.
    • However, in contrast to the MQ-9, it uses forward mounted and rear-swept canard wings that are also reminiscent of Boeing's "X-50 Dragonfly". The X-50 was a cancelled prototype UAV that also used the same wing configuration as the Greyhawk, albeit on a much smaller sized airframe.
  • It should be noted that in spite of what the Field Manual states, the in-game CSAT Ababil-3 has absolutely no fuel efficiency or handling differences compared to the NATO Greyhawk. The only exception is that the Ababil's pylons are limited to carrying CSAT-exclusive aircraft munitions.
  • Prior to Game Update 1.12, destroying the Greyhawk by crashing it into the terrain or any hard surface would inflict a severe point score penalty upon the controller, instantly marking them as a renegade.[1]
  • Before Game Update 1.26, a visual glitch would cause some parts of the Greyhawk (like the ailerons and rudders) to not appear to be damaged nor burnt out even after the drone was destroyed.[2]
    • The wingtip position lights were also incorrectly offset and would appear to float in midair above the wings.[2]
  • When the Greyhawk initially gained the ability to make use of dynamic loadouts in the Jets DLC, its pylons were not properly configured (i.e. arming the port side wing pylon with a Skalpel would cause it to appear on the starboard side pylon instead).[3]
  • Following the release of the Contact expansion pack, it was revealed that the Greyhawk is the product of an Armaverse company called the Macrotech Corporation.[4]

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. van 't Land, J.J. 2014, SPOTREP #00019, Arma 3, viewed 4 October 2023, <https://dev.arma3.com/post/spotrep-00019>.
  2. 2.0 2.1 van 't Land, J.J. 2014, SPOTREP #00030, Arma 3, viewed 4 October 2023, <https://dev.arma3.com/post/spotrep-00030>.
  3. Kovařič, V 2017, SPOTREP #00076, Arma 3, viewed 4 October 2023, <https://dev.arma3.com/post/spotrep-00076>.
  4. ARMA 3: Contact 2019 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., First Contact, Going Dark, "A US MQ-4A Greyhawk, developed by Macrotech Corporation. The advanced technology company insist the drone was not to blame for the accident.", AAN News

External links[]

See also[]

Drones of comparable role and configuration[]

Vehicles of ArmA 3
Wheeled AFV-4 GorgonAMV-7 MarshallHatchbackHEMTTHunterIfritKartMB 4WDMSE-3 MaridOffroadProwlerQilinRhino MGS (UP) • StriderSUVTempestTractorTruckQuadbikeUGV StomperVanZamak (MRL)
Tracked 2S9 SochorAWC NyxBTR-K KamyshCRV-6e BobcatED-1D Mini UGV (ED-1E) • IFV-6a CheetahIFV-6c PantherFV-720 MoraM2A1 Slammer (A4 UP) • M4 ScorcherM5 SandstormMBT-52 KumaT-100 Varsuk (X Futura) • T-140 Angara (T-140K) • ZSU-39 Tigris
Rotor-wing AH-9 PawneeAH-99 BlackfootAR-2 DarterCH-49 MohawkCH-67 HuronDemining DroneMH-9 Hummingbird (M900) • Mi-48 KajmanMi-290 TaruMQ-12 FalconPO-30 OrcaUH-80 Ghost HawkUtility DroneWY-55 Hellcat
Fixed-wing A-143 BuzzardA-149 GryphonA-164 WipeoutCaesar BTTF/A-181 Black Wasp IIKH-3A FenghuangMQ-4A GreyhawkTo-199 NeophronTo-201 ShikraUCAV SentinelV-44X BlackfishY-32 Xi'an
Aquatic Assault BoatMotorboatRHIBSpeedboatSDVWater Scooter
(Parenthesis) denote variants.
Karts DLC | Helicopters DLC | Apex DLC | Jets DLC | Laws of War DLC | Tanks DLC | Contact DLC
Arma3-factionicon-nato NATO - Vehicles (ArmA 3)
Wheeled AMV-7 MarshallHEMTTHunterProwlerQuadbikeRhino MGS (UP) • UGV Stomper
Tracked CRV-6e BobcatED-1D Pelter (ED-1E Roller) • IFV-6a CheetahIFV-6c PantherM2A1 Slammer (A4 UP) • M4 ScorcherM5 Sandstorm
Rotor-wing AH-9 PawneeAH-99 BlackfootAL-6 PelicanAR-2 DarterCH-67 HuronMH-9 HummingbirdMQ-12 FalconUH-80 Ghost Hawk
Fixed-wing A-164 WipeoutF/A-181 Black Wasp IIMQ-4A GreyhawkUCAV SentinelV-44X Blackfish
Aquatic Assault Boat (Rescue) • Speedboat MinigunSDV
(Parenthesis) denote variants.
Helicopters DLC | Apex DLC | Jets DLC | Laws of War DLC | Tanks DLC | Contact DLC
Arma3-factionicon-csat CSAT - Vehicles (ArmA 3)
Wheeled IfritMSE-3 MaridQilinQuadbikeTempestUGV SaifZamak
Tracked 2S9 SochorAkinaka ED-1D (Sayyah ED-1E) • BTR-K KamyshT-100 Varsuk (X Futura) • T-140 Angara (T-140K) • ZSU-39 Tigris
Rotor-wing Jinaah AL-6Mi-48 KajmanMi-290 TaruPO-30 OrcaTayran AR-2
Fixed-wing K40 Abalil-3KH-3A FenghuangTo-199 NeophronTo-201 ShikraY-32 Xi'an
Aquatic Assault Boat (Rescue) • Speedboat HMGSDV
Parenthesis denote variants.
Helicopters DLC | Apex DLC | Jets DLC | Laws of War DLC | Tanks DLC | Contact DLC
Arma3-factionicon-aaf AAF - Vehicles (ArmA 3)
Wheeled AFV-4 GorgonQuadbikeStriderUGV StomperZamak (MRL)
Tracked AWC NyxED-1D Pelter (ED-1E Roller) • FV-720 MoraMBT-52 Kuma
Rotor-wing AR-2 DarterAL-6 PelicanCH-49 MohawkWY-55 Hellcat
Fixed-wing A-143 BuzzardA-149 GryphonK40 Abalil-3
Aquatic Assault Boat (Rescue) • Speedboat MinigunSDV
Parenthesis denote variants.
Jets DLC | Laws of War DLC | Tanks DLC | Contact DLC
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