MQ-9 Reaper: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:MQ-9 in flight.jpg|left|thumb|250px|MQ-9 in flight]] | |||
Developed by the United States, and operated by the U.S. and U.K., the '''MQ-9 Reaper''' is medium-to-high altitude, long endurance [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]. It can be used both as an [[intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance]] (ISR) platform as well as a "hunter-killer" for [[armed reconnaissance]]. The [[Royal Air Force]] tends to emphasize the former and the [[USAF]] the latter, but the same aircraft does both. | Developed by the United States, and operated by the U.S. and U.K., the '''MQ-9 Reaper''' is medium-to-high altitude, long endurance [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]. It can be used both as an [[intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance]] (ISR) platform as well as a "hunter-killer" for [[armed reconnaissance]]. The [[Royal Air Force]] tends to emphasize the former and the [[USAF]] the latter, but the same aircraft does both. | ||
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It can be taken apart, put into shipping containers, and carried by a [[C-130 Hercules]] or larger aircraft. | It can be taken apart, put into shipping containers, and carried by a [[C-130 Hercules]] or larger aircraft. | ||
[[Image:MQ-9 on ground.JPG|thumb| | [[Image:MQ-9 on ground.JPG|thumb|250px|MQ-9 on ground]] | ||
==General Characteristics<ref>{{citation | ==General Characteristics<ref>{{citation | ||
| title = MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aircraft System | | title = MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aircraft System | ||
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*[[AGM-114 Hellfire]] missiles | *[[AGM-114 Hellfire]] missiles | ||
*GBU-12 Paveway II [[laser designator|laser-guided bombs]] | *GBU-12 Paveway II [[laser designator|laser-guided bombs]] | ||
*GBU-38 [[Joint Direct | *GBU-38 [[Joint Direct Action Munition]]s | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
Revision as of 10:09, 19 June 2009
Developed by the United States, and operated by the U.S. and U.K., the MQ-9 Reaper is medium-to-high altitude, long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle. It can be used both as an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platform as well as a "hunter-killer" for armed reconnaissance. The Royal Air Force tends to emphasize the former and the USAF the latter, but the same aircraft does both.
It is a larger descendant of the MQ-1 Predator.
It can be taken apart, put into shipping containers, and carried by a C-130 Hercules or larger aircraft.
General Characteristics[1]
- Primary Function: Unmanned hunter/killer weapon system, using GOLIS and laser-guided weapons
- Secondary function: intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
- Contractor: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
- Power Plant: Honeywell TPE331-10GD turboprop engine
- Thrust: 900 shaft horsepower maximum
- Wingspan: 66 feet (20.1 meters)
- Length: 36 feet (11 meters)
- Height: 12.5 feet (3.8 meters)
- Weight: 4,900 pounds (2,223 kilograms) empty
- Maximum takeoff weight: 10,500 pounds (4,760 kilograms)
- Fuel Capacity: 4,000 pounds (602 gallons)
- Payload: 3,750 pounds (1,701 kilograms)
- Speed: cruise speed around 230 miles per hour, (200 knots)
- Range: 3,682 miles (3,200 nautical miles)
- Ceiling: up to 50,000 feet (15,240 meters)
- Crew (remote): Two (pilot and sensor operator)
- Unit Cost: $53.5 million (includes four aircraft with sensors) (fiscal 2006 dollars)
- Initial operating capability: October 2007
Sensors
For direct viewing, it has an infrared sensor, a colur/monochrome daylight TV and an image-intensified TV. These can be ysed separate video streams or fused with the IR sensor video.
The Reaper has a combined laser rangefinder/laser designator. For JDAM, it will have synthetic aperture radar.
Weapons
- AGM-114 Hellfire missiles
- GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs
- GBU-38 Joint Direct Action Munitions