Mq 9 reaper5/15/2023 ![]() ![]() The first USAF MQ-9 squadron, the 42nd Attack Squadron, was formed in March 2007. 21 MQ-9 have been ordered and eight delivered to the USAF. In March 2005, the USAF awarded a further contract for the system design and development (SDD) of MQ-9 Reaper Hunter / Killer. The upgraded Predator, the Predator B, has been operational in the Balkans since April 2001. The upgrade also covers a more powerful turbocharged engine and wing de-icing systems to enable year-round operations. System upgrades include development of an improved relief-on-station (ROS) system which allows continuous coverage over areas of interest without any loss of time on station, secure air traffic control voice relay, Ku-band satellite tuning and implementation of an air force mission support system (AFMSS). In May 1998 General Atomics was awarded a block 1 upgrade contract to expand the capabilities of the Predator system. The aircraft is monitored and controlled by aircrew in the Ground Control Station (GCS), including weapons employment. The greater power allows the Reaper to carry 15 times more ordnance payload and cruise at about three times the speed of the MQ-1. ![]() The Reaper has a 950-shaft-horsepower (712 kW) turboprop engine (compared to the Predator’s 115 hp (86 kW) piston engine). The MQ-9 is a larger, heavier, and more capable aircraft than the earlier General Atomics MQ-1 Predator it can be controlled by the same ground systems used to control MQ-1s. The MQ-9 and other UAVs are referred to as Remotely Piloted Vehicles/Aircraft (RPV/RPA) by the USAF to indicate their human ground controllers. The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper (sometimes called Predator B) is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) primarily for the United States Air Force (USAF). ![]()
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