Transparency International, the watchdog group that measures openness in the defense industry, has ranked General Atomics the worst of major world contractors, according to Wired magazine. The watchdog ranks companies on whether they have anti-corruption programs in place, whether they require employee ethics programs, whether they keep an eye on graft by suppliers and contracts, and whether they prohibit or at least regulate political contributions and influence-buying.

General Atomics, maker of the MQ-1 Predator drone, scores at the bottom. It did not provide information on anti-corruption activities to the watchdog. "General Atomics has also been adept at greasing its political wheels, having contributed more than $600,000 on trips for key congressional legislators during the Predator's nascent years," says Wired.