Air Force eyes open architectures upgrades for MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft to take-on near-peer threats

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio – U.S. Air Force unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) experts have announced plans for upgrades to the service's MQ-9 Reaper to make them more effective against near-peer threats, rather than just for counter-terrorism. Slash Gear reports. Continue reading original article

The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:

10 May 2021 -- Some existing MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft will receive a multi-domain operation configuration -- the same that will be on new Reaper UAVs -- covered by an order to Reaper manufacturer General Atomics Aeronautical Systems in Poway, Calif.

Air Force experts will boost the UAV’s electrical power and to develop an open architecture that will accommodate add new features rapidly intended to deal with new threats as they arrive.

"The MQ-9 enterprise will add new capabilities to the platform to help ensure the MQ-9 is able to support these missions in the threat environment we envision," says Air Force Lt. Col. Nick Jordan, the material leader for the MQ-9 production and retrofit effort.

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John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics