The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper (sometimes called Predator B) is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV, one component of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS)) capable of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) primarily for the United States Air Force (USAF). The MQ-9 and other UAVs ...

The U.S. Air Force proposed the MQ-9 Reaper system in response to the Department of Defense directive to support initiatives of overseas contingency operations. It is larger and more powerful than the MQ-1 Predator, and is designed to execute time-sensitive targets with persistence and precision, and destroy or disable those targets.

MQ-9A was designated "Reaper" by the U.S. and Royal Air Force, but has become the widely used name for any Predator B equipped with weapons. Featuring unmatched operational flexibility, MQ-9A has an endurance of over 27 hours, speeds of 240 KTAS, can operate up to 50,000 feet, and has a 3,850 pound (1746 kilogram) payload capacity that includes ...

The MQ-9 Reaper is an armed, multi-mission, medium-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft that is employed primarily against dynamic execution targets and secondarily as an intelligence collection asset.

Mar 24, 2025 · An MQ-9 Reaper assigned to the 556th Test and Evaluation Squadron, a tenant unit of the 432nd Wing, sits on the flightline armed with two GBU-39s at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, Mar. 12, 2025.

The MQ-9 Reaper is the primary offensive strike unmanned aerial vehicle for the U.S. Air Force. Given its significant loiter time, wide-range sensors, multi-mode communications suite, and...

Aug 19, 2019 · The MQ‐9 Reaper UAS is a remotely piloted and armed aircraft system that uses optical, infrared, and radar sensors to locate, identify, target, and attack ground targets.

Mar 27, 2025 · DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United States has given an initial approval for the energy-rich Mideast nation of Qatar to buy eight armed MQ-9B Predator drones for its military, an estimated purchase worth nearly $2 billion.. The State Department approval announced early Thursday for Qatar comes after Doha had been trying to purchase the …

Aug 28, 2022 · The MQ-9 is an unmanned aircraft capable of remote controlled or autonomous flight. The 361 EAS operates them in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. (U.S. Air Force photo by: Tech. Sgt. Jim Bentley) The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper is one of the most effective weapons in the Air Force arsenal.

Apr 7, 2025 · New Software Will Provide In-Flight Target Updates . SAN DIEGO – 7 April 2025 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has demonstrated software that will provide in-flight target updates that will enable the MQ-9B SeaGuardian® Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) to close gaps on maritime targets. In a recent ground test, GA-ASI demonstrated the …