MQ-9 Reaper

The MQ-9 Reaper is a military drone used for many roles. The drone has a crew of two. They remote control it from the ground like a civilian drone but with a computer at a ground control base instead of a remote controller. From the terminal one crew member operates the sensors and weapons. The other crew member is the commander and pilot of the drone. It has many video cameras and sensors and is able to Takeoff and land on its own. The Reaper is mostly used for reconnaissance. It can also do loitering, close air support along with search and rescue. Because of its cameras and sensors the drone is used to point out targets for military vehicles and other aircraft. It is also used to guard groups of military vehicles. When used for strike missions the drone is very accurate. Up to eight missiles can be put on the wings. The drone is good at asymmetric warfare because it can wait around a area 24 hours and attack fast. The Reaper was made to be a bigger and more powerful aircraft than the Predator drones.

 Specifications 
Who makes it: General Atomics 

Unit Cost: $56.5 million (includes four aircraft with sensors, ground control station and Predator Primary satellite link)

Width: 66 feet (20.1 meters)

Length: 36 feet (11 meters)
Height: 12.5 feet (3.8 meters)

Weight: 4,900 pounds 

Maximum takeoff weight: 10,500 pounds 

Fuel Capacity: 602 gallons

How much weapons can it carry: 3,750 pounds

How fast: Mach 0.36

How far can it go and still come back: 1,150 miles 

How high can it go:50000 feet
Weapons: AGM-114 Hellfire missiles or GBU-12 Paveway II or GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions or GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II or GBU-54 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munitions

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

References

Category:Drones