U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet

MQ­9 REAPER UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM

Mission

The MQ­9 Reaper is a medium­to­high altitude,

long endurance unmanned aircraft system.

The MQ­9's primary mission is as a persistent

hunter­killer against emerging

targets to achieve joint force commander

objectives. The MQ­9's alternate mission is to

act as an intelligence, surveillance and

reconnaissance asset, employing sensors to

provide real­time data to commanders and

intelligence specialists at all levels.

Features

The typical system consists of several air vehicles, a ground control station, or GCS,

communication equipment/links, spares and people who can be a mix of active­duty and

contractor personnel. The crew for the MQ­9 is a pilot and a sensor operator, who operate the

aircraft from a remotely located GCS. To meet combatant commanders' requirements, the MQ­9

delivers tailored capabilities using mission kits that may contain various weapons and sensor

payload combinations.

The MQ­9 baseline system has a robust sensor suite for targeting. Imagery is provided by an

infrared sensor, a color/monochrome daylight TV and an image­intensified TV. The video from

each of the imaging sensors can be viewed as separate video streams or fused with the infrared

sensor video. The laser rangefinder/designator provides the capability to precisely designate

targets for laser­guided munitions. Synthetic aperture radar will enable Joint Direct Attack

Munitions targeting. The aircraft is also equipped with a color nose camera, generally used by

the pilot for flight control.

Each MQ­9 aircraft can be disassembled into main components and loaded into a container for

air deployment worldwide in Air Force airlift assets such as the C­130 Hercules. The MQ­9 air

vehicle operates from standard U.S. airfields.

Background

The U.S. Air Force proposed the MQ­9 system in response to the Department of Defense

request for Global War on Terrorism initiatives. It is larger and more powerful than the MQ­1

Predator and is designed to go after time­sensitive targets with persistence and precision, and

destroy or disable those targets. The "M" is the Department of Defense designation for multi­role

and "Q" means unmanned aircraft system. The "9" refers to the series of purpose­built remotely

piloted aircraft systems.

In July 2004, the Air Combat Command Commander approved the MQ­9 Enabling Concept

Document. The MQ­9 is operated by the 42nd Attack Squadron and based at Creech Air Force

Base, Nev.

General Characteristics

Primary Function: Unmanned hunter/killer weapon system

Contractor: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

Power Plant: Honeywell TPE331­10GD turboprop engine

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)

Payload: 3,750 pounds (1,701 kilograms)

Speed: cruise speed around 230 miles per hour, (200 knots)

Range: 3,682 miles (3,200 nautical miles)

Ceiling: up to 50,000 feet (15,240 meters)

Armament: Combination of AGM­114 Hellfire missiles, GBU­12 Paveway II and GBU­38 Joint

Direct Attack Munitions.

Crew (remote): Two (pilot and sensor operator)

Unit Cost: $53.5 million (includes four aircraft with sensors) (fiscal 2006 dollars)

Initial operating capability: October 2007

Inventory: Active force, 10; ANG, 0; Reserve, 0

Point of Contact

Air Combat Command, Public Affairs Office; 130 Andrews St., Suite 202; Langley AFB, VA

23665­1987; DSN 574­5007 or 757­764­5007; e­mail: accpa.operations@langley.af.mil

September 2008