MQ9

The MQ-9 Reaper, also known as Predator B, is a family of unmanned aerial vehicles developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for armed aerial reconnaissance and strike missions. It is the larger, more capable successor to the MQ-1 Predator and is operated primarily by the United States Air Force, with several allied nations also using it.

The MQ-9 is a turboprop-powered, long-endurance platform featuring a high-mounted wing and twin tail with a conventional fuselage. It is designed for extended loiter time over targets, with endurance commonly cited around 27 hours and a service ceiling near 50,000 feet. Its maximum takeoff weight limits its payload capacity to several thousand pounds.

Sensor and payloads: It carries electro-optical/infrared surveillance equipment, possibly in a turret, and other sensors such as synthetic aperture radar and signals intelligence systems. It can carry precision-guided munitions and air-to-ground missiles, including AGM-114 Hellfire, GBU-12 Paveway II, GBU-38 JDAM, and AGM-176 Griffin, allowing both ISR and strike missions.

Operational history: Entered service in the mid-2000s and has been deployed in multiple theaters including the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. It supports United States operations as well as coalition missions, performing airstrike and persistent surveillance with a crewed ground control station. It has been subject to debates about civilian risk, sovereignty, and the ethics of unmanned warfare.

Variants and related designs: The MQ-9 family includes subsequent variants such as the MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian, developed to address civil airspace integration and maritime surveillance, respectively. The MQ-9 program remains a prominent element of modern unmanned aerial warfare.