GA-ASI MQ-9 Reaper

[GTX]

A PT6A is even more...

You missed my point. I was referring more to Honeywell's financial considerations rather than anything technical about the engines.

 

[Scott Kenny]

Aahh so, what UAS engine can fly 24h long mission, months along?

Is it Diamond making aero engines out of Mercedes diesels?

Start with a light-truck diesel. Install bigger turbos and adjust the fuel tune.

Or we're into heavily modified Duramax/Isuzu V-8 design. Aluminum block, steel cylinder sleeves, Turbo big enough to maintain boost pressure at 20,000ft.

You missed my point. I was referring more to Honeywell's financial considerations rather than anything technical about the engines.

Yet the PWCanada engine of roughly the same horsepower is significantly more expensive. And PT6 mediums have been a thing for 30 years, so there's no R&D costs left to recoup.

 

[Forest Green]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2094614783891030516

View: https://x.com/Defence_Index/status/2094614783891030516?s=20

 

[joshjosh]

A while back, there was reporting that GA was looking at integrating LEO SATCOM, maybe Starlink.

https://www.overtdefense.com/2023/02/09/mq-9a-performs-ground-breaking-flight-using-leo-satcom/
https://www.defensedaily.com/u-s-army-demonstrating-starlink-integration-for-mq-1c-gray-eagle/space/

The IRGC now claims that they've shot down "several models" of US drones, including MQ-9s, with Starlink terminals.

https://www.reddit.com/r/worldnewsvideo/comments/1w5hcq4/iran_has_unveiled_a_large_collection_of_us

View: https://www.reddit.com/r/worldnewsvideo/comments/1w5hcq4/iran_has_unveiled_a_large_collection_of_us/

 

[raptor82]

Saab LoyalEye pods：

https://flic.kr/p/2szsLh6

View: https://flic.kr/p/2szsLh6

 

[TorpedoJ]

Saab LoyalEye pods：

https://flic.kr/p/2szsLh6

View: https://flic.kr/p/2szsLh6

Have they turned them on yet or are they just testing the aircraft with the pods?

 

[FighterJock]

Perhaps just testing the pods TorpedoJ, until we get more substantial news that proves otherwise.

 

[Scott Kenny]

Saab LoyalEye pods：

https://flic.kr/p/2szsLh6

View: https://flic.kr/p/2szsLh6

I just heard the USMC scream for their own personal AWACS birds they can fly off the LHDs.

 

[Forest Green]

Saab LoyalEye pods：

Looks to be same pods below.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9PuHSC0EY0

 

[aonestudio]

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/...r-in-future-plans-to-divest-replace-aircraft/

The MQ-9A Reaper production line is closed and would take General Atomics two to three years to restart, according to a Congressional Research Service report as the Air Force ramps up its successor timeline amid inventory loss.

The service’s Reaper inventory has decreased by more than half from fiscal year 2022 to around 135 aircraft in mid-May this year as the U.S. scaled operations against Iran in Epic Fury. While legislation on the future of the aircraft and its potential replacement has been proposed, Congress must weigh certain questions regarding cost, fleet size and operational capability ahead of approving budget requests.

The MQ-9A Reaper production line is closed and would take General Atomics two to three years to restart, according to a Congressional Research Service report as the Air Force ramps up its successor timeline amid inventory loss.

The service’s Reaper inventory has decreased by more than half from fiscal year 2022 to around 135 aircraft in mid-May this year as the U.S. scaled operations against Iran in Epic Fury. While legislation on the future of the aircraft and its potential replacement has been proposed, Congress must weigh certain questions regarding cost, fleet size and operational capability ahead of approving budget requests.

While the service has not officially revealed how many Reapers have been lost in the operations against Iran, the report highlights an August Washington Post analysis that claims the force lost 45 aircraft.