MQ-9 Reaper

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 can be taken apart, put into shipping containers, and carried by a C-130 Hercules or larger aircraft.

MQ-9 on ground

General Characteristics

• 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)
• Armament:
  • AGM-114 Hellfire missiles
  • GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs
  • GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions
• 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