US Marines Take Delivery Of Long-Range Reaper Drone

A new extended-range version of General Atomics’ Reaper uncrewed air system (UAS) has been delivered to the U.S. Marine Corps for testing.

As per a recent press statement, the firm says its MQ-9A Block 5 Extended Range drone can be fitted with wing-borne fuel pods and reinforced landing gear which extend the aircraft's endurance to more than 30 hours.

The new UAS was delivered to Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VMX-1), a U.S. Marine Corps USMC operational test squadron based at Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Arizona, towards the end of last month.

“The Marine Corps is building out its ISR capabilities with this new aircraft,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander.

He added: “We are excited to see what VMX-1 does in terms of operational test in preparation for pushing new capabilities into the field.”

So far General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has delivered 18 MQ-9A UAS to USMC; two further aircraft are scheduled to be delivered by the end of the year.

The MQ-9A is part of the Predator series of drones produced by GA-ASI. Cumulatively, the firm claims the platform has flown in excess of 8 million flight hours across more than 30 years on a series of surveillance and strike missions

• You can read more details on the GA-ASI website