Although the US Air Force retired the MQ‑1 Predator drone in 2018, recent reports indicate that a limited number remain in the US Navy’s test and evaluation fleet. The aircraft are being used for research missions, new system trials and operational training. First introduced in the 1990s, the Predator was a hallmark of US campaigns in Afghanistan, Iraq and the broader Middle East, capable of targeting and carrying air‑to‑ground missiles. While newer platforms such as the MQ‑9 Reaper and MQ‑1C Gray Eagle have taken over combat roles, the older drones continue to serve as low‑cost testbeds for emerging technologies and tactics.