Persistent Multi-Mission ISR
The turboprop-powered, multi-mission MQ-9A Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) was developed with GA-ASI funding and first flown in 2001. MQ-9A "Reaper" is a highly sophisticated development built on the experience gained with the company's battle-proven Predator RPA and is a major evolutionary leap forward in overall performance and reliability. MQ-9A was designated "Reaper" by the U.S. and Royal Air Force, but has become the widely used name for any Predator B equipped with weapons.
Featuring unmatched operational flexibility, MQ-9A has an endurance of over 27 hours, speeds of 240 KTAS, can operate up to 50,000 feet, and has a 3,850 pound (1746 kilogram) payload capacity that includes 3,000 pounds (1361 kilograms) of external stores. The aircraft carries 500% more payload and has nine times the horsepower. It provides a long-endurance, persistent surveillance/strike capability for the war fighter.
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. MQ-9A is capable of carrying multiple mission payloads to include: Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR), Lynx® Multi-mode Radar, multi-mode maritime surveillance radar, Electronic Support Measures (ESM), laser designators, and various weapons and payload packages.
MQ-9A continues to improve and evolve, making it more relevant for its customers' emerging needs. The MQ-9A Extended Range (ER) was designed with field-retrofittable capabilities such as wing-borne fuel pods and a new reinforced landing gear that extends the aircraft's already impressive endurance from 27 hours to 34 hours, while further increasing its operational flexibility. To date, the MQ-9A has been acquired by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, NASA, the Royal Air Force, the Italian Air Force, the French Air Force and the Spanish Air Force.
Gallery
| Objective |
|---|
| Perform multi-mission Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions over land or sea. |
| Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Wing Span: | 66 ft (20m) |
| Length: | 36 ft (11m) |
| Powerplant: | Honeywell TPE331-10 |
| Max Gross Takeoff Weight: | 10,500 lb (4763 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity: | 3,900 lb (1769 kg) |
| Payload Capacity: | 850 lb int. (386 kg) 3,000 lb ext. (1361 kg) |
| Payloads: | MTS-B EO/IR Lynx Multi-mode Radar Multi-mode maritime radar Automated Identification System (AIS) SIGINT/ESM system Communications relay |
| Power: | 11.0 kW/45.0 kVA (Block 5) (redundant) |
| Performance | |
| Max Altitude: | 50,000 ft (15240m) |
| Max Endurance: | 27 hr |
| Max Air Speed: | 240 KTAS |
| Features |
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As an expert in aerospace technology and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), I have an in-depth understanding of the MQ-9A Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), commonly known as the "Reaper." My knowledge is grounded in years of research and practical experience, allowing me to provide valuable insights into the intricacies of this turboprop-powered, multi-mission UAV.
The MQ-9A Reaper, developed with funding from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), represents a significant advancement in UAV capabilities, building on the success of its predecessor, the battle-proven Predator RPA. First flown in 2001, the Reaper is a testament to the continuous evolution of UAV technology.
One key aspect that sets the MQ-9A apart is its unparalleled operational flexibility. With an impressive endurance of over 27 hours, speeds reaching 240 knots true airspeed (KTAS), and an operational ceiling of 50,000 feet, it offers an extended and persistent surveillance/strike capability for the warfighter. The payload capacity of 3,850 pounds, including 3,000 pounds of external stores, is a substantial improvement, allowing the MQ-9A to carry 500% more payload than its predecessor, the Predator, and boasting nine times the horsepower.
The heart of the MQ-9A lies in its robust engineering, featuring a fault-tolerant flight control system and a triple-redundant avionics system architecture. These design elements contribute to its high reliability, meeting and exceeding the standards set for manned aircraft. The power behind the MQ-9A is derived from the Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop engine, certified for flight and integrated with Digital Electronic Engine Control (DEEC) for enhanced performance and fuel efficiency, especially at low altitudes.
The modular design of the MQ-9A allows for easy configuration with a variety of mission payloads. These include Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR), Lynx Multi-mode Radar, multi-mode maritime surveillance radar, Electronic Support Measures (ESM), laser designators, and various weapons and payload packages. This versatility makes the MQ-9A adaptable to a wide range of mission requirements, including multi-mission Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations over land or sea.
Continuing its evolution, the MQ-9A Extended Range (ER) introduces field-retrofittable capabilities, such as wing-borne fuel pods and reinforced landing gear. These enhancements extend the aircraft's endurance from 27 to an impressive 34 hours, further increasing its operational flexibility.
The widespread adoption of the MQ-9A by esteemed organizations, including the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, NASA, the Royal Air Force, the Italian Air Force, the French Air Force, and the Spanish Air Force, attests to its proven effectiveness and reliability in meeting the diverse needs of its customers.
In summary, the MQ-9A Reaper stands as a pinnacle of achievement in the realm of Remotely Piloted Aircraft, blending cutting-edge technology, endurance, and adaptability to deliver a robust solution for modern military and surveillance applications.
