Military Knowledge: MQ-9 Reaper Drone

Friday 18 April 2025 - 15:44

https://english.iswnews.com/?p=37752

The MQ-9 Reaper is a U.S. armed drone primarily designed for intelligence collection and secondarily for targeting sensitive, mobile objectives. Its extended flight duration, sophisticated sensors, versatile communication systems, and precision weaponry contribute to its reliability for a variety of missions.

History of the MQ-9 Design and Development:

The MQ-9 Reaper drone is the result of the evolution of one of the most successful UAV projects in the United States: the MQ-1 Predator. This project was initially initiated by the American company General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) as a private venture.

In 1998, as the U.S. military’s operational needs expanded to include unmanned systems with greater range, altitude, and payload capacity, GA-ASI engineers began designing a new platform based on the Predator. This new platform, later known as the Predator B, also received financial support from NASA.

The first flight of the Predator B prototype took place in February 2001. Although the drone appeared similar to the MQ-1 Predator, it was completely redesigned in terms of dimensions, engine power, and body layout. The most significant design change was the introduction of an upward-facing V-shaped tail, which improved flight stability compared to the classic downward-facing tail of the MQ-1 Predator.

During the testing phase, two types of engines were installed on the drone: a Honeywell TPE-331-10T turboprop engine, which provided acceptable performance, and a Williams FJ44-2A turbofan engine, which was eventually discarded due to its high cost and limited efficiency.

In February 2003, the United States Air Force officially joined the project by ordering a turboprop-powered variant, the MQ-9A. They received two prototypes, known as YMQ-9A, for evaluation in testing weapons, reconnaissance capabilities, and maneuverability.

*YMQ-9 at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in January 2010*

The MQ-9 Reaper was developed for the United States Air Force as a direct response to a Department of Defense (DoD) directive aimed at supporting overseas operations, known as “Overseas Contingency Operations.” In the early 2000s, the rise of asymmetric threats created the need for a drone capable of extensive reconnaissance and surveillance, as well as the ability to target and destroy moving targets in real time with high accuracy.

The Reaper far exceeded the operational performance of the MQ-1 Predator. It can fly at altitudes exceeding 15,200 meters (50,000 feet) and has a flight endurance of up to 27 hours. Equipped with advanced systems such as the AN/APY-8 Lynx combined aperture radar and the Raytheon AN/AAS-52(V) MTS multispectral electro-optical system, the Reaper significantly enhanced its reconnaissance and targeting capabilities. Furthermore, the MQ-9A evolved into a fully operational offensive platform, capable of deploying a diverse array of guided weapons.

In 2006, the United States Air Force formally designated the MQ-9A Reaper. The drone commenced operational service in 2007, completing its inaugural combat mission in Afghanistan.

As of 2018, the US Air Force had ordered 366 Reapers from General Atomics, with more than 300 delivered by 2021. The US Air Force plans to retire its MQ-9A fleet by 2035.

Appearance and performance characteristics of the MQ-9 drone:

The Reaper measures 11 meters in length, stands 3.8 meters tall, and features a wingspan of 20 meters, making it considerably larger than the MQ-1. It has a base weight of 2,223 kilograms without payload, while its maximum takeoff weight reaches 4,760 kilograms. For the Extended Range (ER) variant, this maximum weight rises to 5,307 kilograms. Additionally, the ER version boasts a fuel capacity of 903 gallons (approximately 6,000 pounds), allowing for extended flight ranges.

*A view of an MQ-9 taxiing on a runway in Afghanistan, 2007*

The Reaper uses a Honeywell TPE331-10GD turboprop engine that produces 900 horsepower. This engine allows the drone to reach a maximum speed of 480 km/h, but its typical flight speed is in the range of 280 to 310 km/h.

The manufacturer has officially announced that the MQ-9A has a flight endurance of 27 hours and a range of 1,850 km. In 2015, the US Air Force first tested the Extended Range (ER) version of the MQ-9A, which features external fuel tanks mounted under the wings and a more robust landing gear. The ER version boasts a flight endurance of 34 hours and a range of 2,592 km.

In terms of armament, the MQ-9A is equipped with seven hardpoints and can carry up to 1,361 kg of ordnance. It has a variety of weapons options, including Sidewinder and Stinger air-to-air missiles, Hellfire missiles with a range of 8 to 12 km, GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs weighing 227 kg, GBU-38 JDAM GPS-guided bombs, and more advanced versions of the GBU-49 and GBU-54 Laser JDAM, which have a range of approximately 15 km.

The MQ-9 is equipped with Raytheon’s advanced Multispectral Targeting System-B (MTS-B) electro-optical system, which features an infrared sensor, color and monochrome day vision cameras, short-wave infrared cameras, laser designators, and laser rangefinders.

The system is capable of long-range surveillance, target acquisition, precise tracking of moving targets, range finding, and laser designator for a variety of air-to-surface munitions. In addition to the MQ-9 Reaper, the MTS-B is also used in the U.S. Navy’s MQ-4C unmanned aerial vehicle fleet.

Read more: Military Knowledge: Raytheon’s Multispectral Targeting System-B (MTS-B)

MQ-9 Block 5 drone:

The MQ-9 Block 5 is an enhanced version of the original MQ-9 prototype (Block 1), featuring improved endurance, range, and payload capacity. Key upgrades in the Block 5 model include wing fuel pods, reinforced landing gear, and a four-bladed propeller. It also has enhanced electrical power, more secure communications, and the capability for automatic landing. The MQ-9 Block 5 ER variant has an endurance of 34 hours and a range of 2,592 kilometers. In general, General Atomics is in the process of upgrading its MQ-9 fleet to ER versions.

MQ-9B drone – Introducing other MQ-9 drone models:

The MQ-9B drone builds on the MQ-9A model and is recognized as the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian. It is larger and boasts enhanced capabilities compared to the MQ-9A. The MQ-9B’s length measures 11.6 meters, with a wingspan of 24 meters. Its maximum takeoff weight is 5670 kilograms, and it can reach a flight ceiling of 12200 meters. A significant factor in developing the MQ-9B was the need to meet NATO civil aviation regulations, allowing its operation in civilian airspace, whereas the MQ-9A is solely dedicated to military functions.

MQ-9B SkyGuardian: The SkyGuardian, a variant of the MQ-9B, meets European civil aviation regulations. Known as the Certifiable Predator B, it is the first drone certified for use in civilian airspace. Notable features include a 40-hour endurance, a maximum altitude of 12,190 meters, and a 24-meter wingspan. Additionally, the SkyGuardian comes with cutting-edge systems, such as an EO/IR imaging sensor, an anti-icing system, and a TCAS collision avoidance system.

MQ-9B SeaGuardian: The SeaGuardian, a specialized version of the MQ-9B, is tailored for maritime missions. It boasts an endurance of up to 18 hours (some reports indicate 30 hours) and can operate over a distance of 2,200 km, making it ideal for maritime surveillance and search-and-rescue tasks. A standout feature is the Leonardo Seaspray 7500E V2 AESA radar, capable of detecting maritime targets. Additionally, the drone is outfitted with sophisticated systems for deploying sonobuoys to monitor submarines.

MQ-9B STOL: STOL means “short takeoff and landing.” The MQ-9B STOL can take off and land in challenging environments, including aircraft carriers. General Atomics introduced this concept in 2022. This kit allows for the replacement of wings, tail, and propeller to enhance short takeoff and landing performance.

MQ-9 UAV operational history:

The Reaper drone has primarily conducted its operational activities in the Middle East. Its most significant operation to date was the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in Baghdad on January 3, 2020. The United States regime used Hellfire missiles in this operation.

Afghanistan (2007 to 2021): The Reaper’s combat presence was first established in Afghanistan, quickly gaining a reputation as a “hunter” platform. A notable incident occurred on September 13, 2009, when a Reaper that had lost control was shot down by a US F-15E fighter jet to prevent it from entering Tajik airspace. By 2010, Reaper drones were flying more than 33,000 close air support missions annually. Their usage peaked during the withdrawal of US forces in 2021, where they played a key role in supporting evacuation operations.

Iraq and Syria (since 2007): Reaper drones have been extensively utilized in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the fight against ISIS in Operation Inherent Resolve. This includes the 2015 strike on Jihadi John in Raqqa, Syria, using a Hellfire missile. In 2023, as the conflict amongst various factions and the Israel-Hamas war intensified, Reapers carried out the majority of US airstrikes in Syria and were also employed to target Iranian-backed forces.

Yemen: Initially, Reapers were used for reconnaissance missions against Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). However, following the Ansar Allah operation in Yemen and the overthrow of the Mansour Hadi government, they began to conduct operations against Ansar Allah. The first recorded downing of an MQ-9 occurred in 2017. Reaper missions in Yemen intensified as Ansar Allah ramped up operations in the Red Sea in 2023. From September 2023 to April 2025, Yemeni Ansar Allah shot down at least 19 Reapers (with a total of 23 since 2017), incurring losses collectively estimated at over $595 million. These losses highlight the Reaper’s vulnerability in high-intensity conflict zones.

Gaza (since 2023): Following the onset of the Gaza War in October 2023, Reapers flew unarmed over the Gaza Strip to identify the locations of American hostages during Israeli operations. However, no detailed information is available regarding these operations.

MQ-9 drone users:

United States includes NASA, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Department of Homeland Security (US Customs and Border Protection)
United Kingdom
– Early versions of the MQ-9A Reaper for surveillance operations in Afghanistan and the Middle East.
– Protector RG Mk 1, a more advanced version to replace the MQ-9A, capable of carrying Brimstone 3 missiles and Paveway IV bombs.
Italy
– Early versions of the MQ-9A Reaper for surveillance missions in NATO and Libya operations.
– MQ-9A Block 5, an upgraded version.
Netherlands
– Upgraded version of the MQ-9A Reaper Block V for surveillance and reconnaissance missions
Japan
– Maritime version of the MQ-9B SeaGuardian for maritime threat surveillance.
United Arab Emirates
– MQ-9B SkyGuardian for border reconnaissance and surveillance missions.
France
– MQ-9A Reaper for counterterrorism and reconnaissance operations in Africa and the Middle East.
Spain
– MQ-9A Reaper for surveillance and border security operations.
Poland
– MQ-9B SkyGuardian version for reconnaissance and surveillance missions.
Morocco
– MQ-9B SeaGuardian maritime version for coastal surveillance and border operations.
Taiwan
– MQ-9B SkyGuardian version for surveillance and reconnaissance in border areas.

MQ-9A Reaper specifications:

Type: Reconnaissance and Combat
Manufacturer: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
Country of Manufacture: United States
First Flight: 2001
Length: 11 m
Wingspan: 20 m
Height: 3.81 m
Engine: Honeywell TPE331-10 900 hp
Fuel Capacity: 1,800 kg – 2,721 kg in ER version
Range: 1,850 km – 2,593 km in ER version
Maximum Speed: 480 km/h
Service ceiling: 15,420 m (50,000 ft)
Endurance: 27 hours – 34 hours in ER version
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 4,760 kg – 5,307 kg in ER version
Empty Weight: 2,223 kg
Payload: 1,747 kg
Armament: 7 hardpoints with a capacity to carry 1,361 kg of ammunition