America's MQ - 9 Reaper: Hunter-Killer Aircraft

The MQ-9 is a medium-to high-altitude, long-endurance hunter-killer aircraft, primarily tasked with strikes against emerging targets in support of joint force commander objectives
Given its significant loiter time, wide-range sensors, multi-mode communications suite, and precision weapons, it provides a unique capability to perform strike, coordination, and reconnaissance against high-value, fleeting, and time-sensitive targets.

The Reaper is a part of a remotely piloted aircraft system. A fully operational system consists of sensor and weapon-equipped aircraft, ground control station, Predator Primary Satellite Link and spare equipment along with operations and maintenance crews.

The crew consists of a rated pilot to control the aircraft and command the mission, and an enlisted aircrew member to operate sensors and guide weapons. To meet combatant commanders' requirements, the Reaper delivers tailored capabilities using mission kits containing various weapons and sensor payload combinations.

The MQ-9 baseline system equipped with the Multi-Spectral Targeting System, which has a robust suite of visual sensors for targeting. The system integrates an infrared sensor, color, TV camera, shortwave infrared camera, laser designator, and laser illuminator. The full-motion video from each of the imaging sensors can be viewed as separate video streams or fused.
The unit also incorporates a laser rangefinder/designator, which precisely designates targets for employment of laser-guided munitions. The Reaper is also equipped with a synthetic aperture radar.
The remotely piloted aircraft can be disassembled and loaded into a single container for deployment worldwide. The entire system can be transported in the C-130 Hercules or larger aircraft.

The MQ-9 has also been modified for extended range operations through the addition of external fuel tanks capable of holding 1,300 lbs of fuel. This provides for greater on station time and further range. The modification also adds an extra blade to the propeller and an alcohol-water injection system to improve takeoff performance.

The U.S. Air Force proposed the MQ-9 Reaper system in response to the Department of Defense directive to support initiatives of overseas contingency operations. It is larger and more powerful than the MQ-1 Predator, and is designed to execute time-sensitive targets with persistence and precision, and destroy or disable those targets.
The "M" is the DoD designation for multi-role, and "Q" means remotely piloted aircraft system. The "9" indicates it is the ninth in the series of remotely piloted aircraft systems.

General Characteristics:
Contractor: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
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).
Max Speed: 240 knots true airspeed (KTAS)
Range: 1,150 miles (1,000 nautical miles).
Ceiling: Up to 50,000 feet (15,240 meters)
Armament: Combination of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, GBU-12 Paveway II, GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions, GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II, and GBU-54 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munitions
Unit Cost: $56.5 million (includes four aircraft with sensors, ground control station and Predator Primary satellite link)
MQ-9A has an endurance of over 27 hours, can operate up to 50,000 feet, and has a 3,750 pound (1701 kilogram) payload capacity that includes 3,000 pounds (1361 kilograms) of external stores.
An extremely reliable aircraft, MQ-9A is equipped with a fault-tolerant flight control system and triple redundant avionics system architecture. It is engineered to meet and exceed manned aircraft reliability standards.
MQ-9A is powered by the flight-certified and proven Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop engine, integrated with Digital Electronic Engine Control (DEEC), which significantly improves engine performance and fuel efficiency, particularly at low altitudes.
The aircraft is highly modular and is configured easily with a variety of payloads to meet mission requirements.
The MQ-9A Reaper's users include the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Spain