The MQ-9 Reaper is the Air Force’s first hunter-killer UAV. It is larger and more powerful than the MQ-1 Predator and is designed to go after time-sensitive targets with persistence and precision, and destroy or disable those targets with 500-pound bombs and Hellfire missiles.
“The Reaper represents a significant evolution in UAV technology and employment,” General Moseley said. “We’ve moved from using UAVs primarily in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance roles before Operation Iraqi Freedom, to a true hunter-killer role with the Reaper.”
General Moseley stressed the key advantage is not keeping manned aircraft and pilots out of harm’s way, but the persistence UAVs can inherently provide. The Reaper can stay airborne for up to 14 hours fully loaded.
A 900-horsepower turbo-prop engine, compared to the 119-horsepower Predator engine, powers the aircraft. It has a 64-foot wingspan and carries more than 15 times the ordnance of the Predator, flying almost three times the Predator’s cruise speed.
The Air Force has seven MQ-9 Reapers in its inventory, with a full-rate production decision expected in 2009.
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So the MQ-9 is the first true purpose-designed hunter-killer UAV. I especially take note of the 14-hour station-keeping ability. Talk about having a million bucks in life insurance circling overhead when you go out on patrol!
One hour to reach station, 12 hour to patrol, one hour to recover. Fly two for round-the-clock coverage. Neat.
900 HP on tap. I want one!
Serious cover - but not nearly enough! or coming in time - wish they'd spread it's use around...if they did that the insurgents would get real spooked never knowing which place one of those might heave over the ridge... That would help a LOT = anyone listening???
What, they're still in LRIP? I guess the current systems are undergoing OT in Afghanistan...