GA-ASI MQ-9 Reaper

ALQ-99 and the NGJ jamming prod from Prowler and Growler were RAT powered (albeit one per pod), so it’s certainly not unheard of; equally it could be a powered generator/APU.
 
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Archibald said:
(facepalm)
Why DF are the Crowsnest retired ? harsh lessons from the Falklands forgotten once again ?
Okay... it has become an helicopter Nimrod AEW3 or MR.4, sweet geez.
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Just be a bit careful with this. Under British military planning policy, every item of equipment, even if bought that very same day, has to have a stated Out of Service Date (OSD) for budgetary and accounting purposes, especially for things like maintenance contracts.

While Crowsnest currently has a set OSD of 2029, that doesn’t mean it won’t be pushed back and an extended 5 year service contract tendered. There absolutely is a desire to move on to another platform (and get the cabs backs for ASW) but I wouldn’t be surprised to see some flex on 2029.
 
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warontherocks.com

Flying, But Not Fused: Closing the Drone Gap in the Marine Corps

Imagine a $30 million drone, capable of seeing for many miles and staying airborne for nearly a day, circling overhead while marines on the ground remain
warontherocks.com

Article on the way MQ9s are being used with the USMC.

Highlights that current mission planning surrounding a T5 ISR drone doesnt sufficiently utilize it to the fullest potential yet. More specifically, its the lack of an ISR / sensor centric planning as opposed to the current usage which is using the MQ9 as an asset tangential to mission planning.

Nothing terribly concerning as its part of the USMCs doctrinal shift and getting used to a new type of warfare, but interesting in terms of how MQ9s are envisioned to be used and how it changes the way planning is carried out.
 
'Trainwreck' keeps coming to mind with regards as to the USMC's new 'doctrine'.
 
Grey Havoc said:
'Trainwreck' keeps coming to mind with regards as to the USMC's new 'doctrine'.
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It's the type of thing that should be trialed at brigade level to see how it works, and what it would take to fix it when you run into the inevitable problems. It's not something to shift the entire force to untested.
 
apparition13 said:
It's the type of thing that should be trialed at brigade level to see how it works, and what it would take to fix it when you run into the inevitable problems. It's not something to shift the entire force to untested.
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Remember how small the USMC actually is. It's only 4 Divisions, and one of those is the reserves. So 3 active divisions total. 9 active brigades. There are currently 3 Littoral Regiments. How many regiments to a Brigade again?
 
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp

Japan to Buy 4 SeaGuardians to Boost Maritime Surveillance

<p>Tokyo, Aug. 26 (Jiji Press)—The Japan Coast Guard’s budget request for fiscal 2026 includes a plan to buy four more SeaGuardian unmanned aircraft to boost maritime surveillance, officials said Tuesday.</p>
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp japannews.yomiuri.co.jp

www.ga-asi.com

MQ-9B SeaGuardian

MQ-9B SeaGuardian is the maritime-focused sibling of the revolutionary SkyGuardian remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) that has been missionized using 'bolt-on/bolt-off' maritime sensors.
www.ga-asi.com
 
NMaude said:
I wonder how long it will be before they start equipping MQ-9s with Sidewinders?
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That was first done years ago:

www.twz.com

Heat-Seeking Missile-Armed MQ-9 Reaper Shot Down Target Drone During Exercise

The late 2017 drill was another step toward giving the unmanned aircraft their own air-to-air capabilities.
www.twz.com www.twz.com

mq-9-1.jpg
 
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp

Defense Ministry Eyes Using UAVs Instead of Jet Scrambles, Seeks to Reduce Costs of Responding to Chinese Drones

<p>The Defense Ministry is considering the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) instead of scrambling Self-Defense Forces aircraft in response to Chinese drones, according to sources.</p>
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp japannews.yomiuri.co.jp

The Yomiuri Shimbun

8:00 JST, September 15, 2025

The Defense Ministry is considering the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) instead of scrambling Self-Defense Forces aircraft in response to Chinese drones, according to sources.

The ministry plans to use the MQ-9B SeaGuardian, a U.S.-made UAV that the Maritime Self-Defense Force plans to introduce and which can fly for an extended time. The Air Self-Defense Force will conduct tests over three years starting next fiscal year.

The aim is to reduce operation costs of fighter jets.

The MSDF plans to introduce SeaGuardians in fiscal 2027 to enhance its intelligence and surveillance capabilities in the East China Sea and elsewhere. The ASDF is expected to use the UAVs to verify whether it can track and monitor other drones and assess how much it can be used in place of scrambling. The ministry has appropriated about ¥1.1 billion in related costs in its budget request for next fiscal year.

In fiscal 2024, a total of 30 Chinese drones, including those assumed to be Chinese ones, were confirmed by the ministry to be flying around the Nansei Islands and elsewhere, prompting the scrambling of ASDF fighter jets. This was more than triple the nine seen in fiscal 2023.

As of the end of August this fiscal year, 16 Chinese drones had already been spotted.

Two fighter jets are scrambled, in principle, when aircraft or drones posing a risk of airspace incursion are detected by surveillance and control radar or other means. However, each fighter jet is extremely expensive, and fuel expenses and personnel costs for pilots are also significant.

Some in the ministry speculate that China is increasingly flying drones, which involve a low cost per aircraft, thereby waging a war of attrition against Japan and Taiwan.

The SeaGuardian is not only equipped with optical and infrared sensors but also with radar capable of observation at night and in bad weather. Its surveillance capabilities are high, leading the ministry to believe that the UAV will be able to replace fighter jets’ scrambling to a certain degree.

In the event of an airspace violation, fighter jets issue warnings demanding that the other side withdraw. The jets also send out signal flares, and in a worst-case scenario, they launch missiles. However, the SeaGuardian is not equipped with such warning and attack functions.

A key issue in using UAVs instead of fighter jets’ scrambling will be how the drone can respond to airspace incursions.
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I fear that this will not work out the way they hope.
 
First Belgian MQ-9B SkyGuardian has been presented to the Press today at Florennes Air Base.
the aircraft has recieved full color markings and roundels.
 

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www.army.mil

Potent anti-armor munition integrated into MQ-9 at Yuma Proving Ground

A venerable unmanned aerial system (UAS) now has a potent new arrow in its quiver thanks to testing at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG).YPG testers...
www.army.mil www.army.mil
www.ga-asi.com

GA-ASI and AeroVironment Complete First-Ever Air Launch of Switchblade 600 from MQ-9A UAS

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and AeroVironment (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) collaborated on the air launch of a Switchblade 600 loitering munition (LM) from a GA-ASI Block 5 MQ-9A unmanned aircraft system (UAS).
www.ga-asi.com
https://twitter.com/x/status/1972660203444138028
View: https://x.com/ypg_az/status/1972660203444138028
YPG testers recently evaluated the integration of the Switchblade 600 Block 1 into the MQ-9, often referred to as the Reaper when equipped with a munition.

The Switchblade 600 Block 1 (SB 600) is a state-of-the-art anti-armor loitering munition, featuring the potent warhead employed by the renowned Javelin anti-tank missile. The system excels in range, achieving an impressive distance of up to 175 kilometers when launched from an MQ-9 at an altitude of 30,000 feet.

In the test, the Switchblade was successfully launched twice—once with an inert warhead and once with a high-explosive round—targeting a T-72 tank from YPG's target collection. These tests evaluated the system’s components, from the launcher to its long-range antennas. Control of the SB600 through the MQ-9 Reaper Ground Control Station (GCS) involved an advanced integration of Satellite Communications (SATCOM) and Data Link (DDL) relay, which enabled precise operation over long distances.

Following launch, the SB600 was maneuvered by an operator using SATCOM for over-the-horizon communication, ensuring continuous command and telemetry exchange. The MQ-9 acted as a relay station using DDL to manage real-time video feeds and enhance the munition’s precision during reconnaissance and target engagement. During the test, the SB600 was orbited around the target for confirmation before performing a high-speed attack dash, documented by a UH-60 helicopter and ground-based Kineto Tracking Mounts for comprehensive mission analysis.
 
GA and SAAB are going to test and demonstrate the AEW MQ9B capability next year in the US:
www.ga-asi.com

GA-ASI and Saab Will Demonstrate AEW&C on MQ-9B in 2026

Following their announcement to bring Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) capability to the world’s leading Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) platform, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and Saab will now team up to demonstrate the capability in the summer of 2026.
www.ga-asi.com
 

German Navy to procure MQ-9B SeaGuardian for reconnaissance, ASW​

www.navalnews.com

German Navy to procure MQ-9B SeaGuardian for reconnaissance, ASW - Naval News

The German Navy will receive four MALE UAS from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) for maritime long-range reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare. Each system consists of two MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones, as well as other components and a command and control system, meaning the German...
www.navalnews.com www.navalnews.com

Germany orders eight MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones for the German Navy​

www.navalnews.com

Germany orders eight MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones for the German Navy - Naval News

The German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) on January 12 ordered eight MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones from US manufacturer General Atomics
www.navalnews.com www.navalnews.com
 
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Don't miss this channel also:

www.youtube.com

HR Planespotter

Experimenta en 4K los movimientos militares y aviones de guerra más impactantes captados por HR Plane Spotter desde aeropuertos y bases aéreas alrededor del mundo. Observa en acción C-5M Super Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III, KC-130J Hercules, F-35 Lightning II, MV-22 Osprey, CH-53 Super...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
 

GA-ASI is expanding MQ-9B SeaGuardian’s capabilities, and Middle East nations are taking notice​

www.navalnews.com

GA-ASI is expanding MQ-9B SeaGuardian’s capabilities, and Middle East nations are taking notice - Naval News

The Middle East continues to navigate a complex and evolving security landscape, and the list of threats seems to grow by the day. From safeguarding critical maritime routes to countering advanced aerial incursions, the need for a cost-effective, versatile, and interoperable platform has never...
www.navalnews.com www.navalnews.com
 
https://twitter.com/x/status/2019403201720557981
View: https://x.com/GenAtomics_ASI/status/2019403201720557981?s=20


GA-ASI and USN Test Expanded Sonobuoy Dispensing System For MQ-9B SeaGuardian​

www.ga-asi.com

GA-ASI and USN Test Expanded Sonobuoy Dispensing System For MQ-9B SeaGuardian

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and the U.S. Navy continue to expand the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability of the MQ-9B SeaGuardian® Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS).
www.ga-asi.com

GA-ASI Is Creating the Blueprint for 21st-Century Airpower in the Indo-Pacific​

 
www.ga-asi.com

GA-ASI Develops Long-Range Weapons Capabilities for MQ-9B

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is developing the addition of long-range standoff weapons to its top-of-the-line MQ-9B SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian®.
www.ga-asi.com


…….LRASM？ :oops:

So far, GA-ASI has performed all the performance analytics and is confident in MQ-9B’s ability to carry long-range weapons over long distances, while providing a measure of persistence and endurance. Company engineers and others continue to refine the technical aspects of this integration and potential concepts of operation, eyeing weapons such as the Lockheed Martin Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile and Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile, as well as the Kongsberg/Raytheon Joint Strike Missile.
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raptor82 said:
…….LRASM？ :oops:
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It's possible, LRASM is just barely within the total weight limit for a Reaper. Not sure how the load is getting carried, unless it's somehow split across the two inner pylons. Officially, those pylons are 1500lbs each. Though it's certainly possible that the Bravo pylons are reinforced up to 3000lbs each.
 
Scott Kenny said:
It's possible, LRASM is just barely within the total weight limit for a Reaper. Not sure how the load is getting carried, unless it's somehow split across the two inner pylons. Officially, those pylons are 1500lbs each. Though it's certainly possible that the Bravo pylons are reinforced up to 3000lbs each.
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It's confirmed here:

General Atomics Is Turning The MQ-9 Reaper Family Of Drones Into “Cruise Missile Trucks”​

www.twz.com

General Atomics Is Turning The MQ-9 Reaper Family Of Drones Into "Cruise Missile Trucks"

Branded content: Giving MQ-9's the ability to reach out over vast distances to launch standoff strikes after loitering for hours on its own is a unique capability for a tactical asset.
www.twz.com www.twz.com
As it sits now, Lockheed Martin’s stealthy AGM-158 JASSM and its anti-ship variant, LRASM, as well as Kongsberg-Raytheon’s Joint Strike Missile are being looked at as weapons options.
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