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MQ-9 Reaper: The First Operational UCAV?
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The MQ-9 Reaper UAV, once called “Predator B,” is somewhat similar to the famous Predator. Until you look at the tail. Or its size. Or its weapons. It’s called “Reaper” for a reason – while it packs the same surveillance gear, it’s much more of a hunter-killer design. Some have called it the first fielded Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV).
The Reaper UCAV will play a significant role in the future USAF, even though its capability set makes the MQ-9 considerably more expensive than MQ-1 Predators, whose price benefits from less advanced design and volume production orders. Given these high-end capabilities, and expenses, one might not have expected the MQ-9 to enjoy better export success than its famous cousin. Nevertheless, that’s what appears to be happening. MQ-9 operators currently include the USA and Britain, who have both used it in hunter-killer mode, and Italy. Other countries are also expressing interest, and international deployments are accelerating. Then the US Air Force’s FY13 President Budget cut its requested order pipeline, all of a sudden:
- The MQ-9 Reaper, and its Little Brothers
- Program Highlights
- Contracts & Key Events, 2005 SDD – Present [updated]
- OICU: MQ-9 Ancillaries
- Additional Readings & Sources
(more…)2012-08-22 15:06:49
Source: http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/MQ-9-Reaper-The-First-Operational-UCAV-05021/
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