May 12, 2023 04:58 UTC by Defense Industry Daily staff
Latest update [?]
Afghan Pre-Flight
May 12/23: Joint Procurement The US Marine Corps has taken delivery of its first MQ-9 Reaper drone under a joint procurement deal with the US Air Force. The delivery was part of a $136 million deal awarded to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems in 2022 for eight MQ-9s to be delivered to the marines this year.
The above update is a recent abstract from our full article, itself part of our subscription offering. Keep reading to know more.
The MQ-9 Reaper UAV, once called “Predator B,” is somewhat similar to the famous Predator. Until you look at the tail. Or its size. Or its weapons. It’s called “Reaper” for a reason: while it packs the same surveillance gear, it’s much more of a hunter-killer design. Some have called it the first fielded Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV).
The Reaper UCAV will play a significant role in the future USAF, even though its capability set makes the MQ-9 considerably more expensive than MQ-1 Predators. Given these high-end capabilities and expenses, one may not have expected the MQ-9 to enjoy better export success than its famous cousin. Nevertheless, that’s what appears to be happening. MQ-9 operators currently include the USA and Britain, who use it in hunter-killer mode, and Italy. Several other countries are expressing interest, and the steady addition of new payloads are expanding the Reaper’s advantage over competitors…
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The MQ-9 Reaper, and its Little Brothers
Program Highlights
Competitors & Prospects
Future Planning & Developments
Contracts & Key Events, 2005 SDD – Present
FY 2014 – 2023
FY 2013
FY 2012
FY 2011
FY 2010
FY 2009
FY 2008
FY 2005 – 2007
MQ-9 Ancillaries
Additional Readings & Sources
Background: The Reaper Family
Background: Reaper Ancillaries
Specific Countries
Official Reports
News & Views
MQ-1 landing –
1 Hellfire fired?
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MQ-1 vs. MQ-9
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MQ-9 Block 5
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MQ-9, Kandahar
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Afghan Pre-Flight
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March 8/19: Fully Operational in Poland The
US Air Force achieved
full operational capability of the the MQ-9 Reaper at
Miroslawiec Air Base in Poland. The General Atomics-developed
remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) have been operating out of
Poland since May. The UAV is capable of remotely controlled
or autonomous flight operations. It is the first
hunter-killer UAV designed for long-endurance, high-altitude
surveillance. The
Reaper is a larger, heavier, and more capable aircraft
than its predecessor, the MQ-1 Predator. It is planned to be
in service into the 2030s. Air Forces in Europe christened a
new set of facilities at Miroslawiec Air Base, Poland on
March 1 to help accommodate the Air National Guardsmen and
contractors operating Reapers there. The Air Force chose
Poland for the mission because of its strategic location in
Europe. RPA aircraft are now operated by both contractors and
US military personnel. The US military now shares control of
the Reapers at Miroslawiec during takeoff, flight and
aircraft recovery with the contractors.
February 8/19: Tests The Missile Defense
Agency
awarded General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems with a
$30.9 million modification to demonstrate passive Missile
Defense Agency configured MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicles
(UAVs) in Ballistic Missile Defense System tests. The
MQ-9 Reaper is a UAV with an operational ceiling of
50,000ft, a maximum internal payload of 800lb and external
payload exceeding 3,000lb. The MQ-9 is the first
hunter-killer UAV designed for long-endurance and high
altitude surveillance. It consists of a 950-shaft-horsepower
turboprop engine. Aircrew in the Ground Control Station
monitor the aircraft including weapons employment. Work under
the modification will be performed in San Diego,
California.
RAF Reaper Refuels,
Afghanistan
Here’s looking
at you, kid…
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MQ-9, armed
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RAF MQ-9 to Afghanistan
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MQ-9 at Kandahar
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Mariner UAV
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Mantis UCAV
(click to view larger)
RAF MQ-9, Kandahar
(click to view full)
MQ-9 w. Paveways
(click to view larger)
MQ-9 trials
(click to view full)
Ikhana fire image
(click to view full)
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