General Atomics MQ-9

The most valuable aircraft for the U.S. Air Force during the 38-day air strike campaign against Iran earlier this year proved to be the MQ-9A Reaper, the Air Force’s top general told lawmakers May 20.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

U.S. Air Force Futures has approved a requirements document for an aircraft that will replace the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. MQ-9A Reaper.

MQ-9 Reapers fired BAE Systems precision-guided rockets during a recent demonstration by General Atomics Aeronautics Systems Inc. and the U.S. Air Force.

The Dutch military explores penetrating ISR and satellite upgrades to enhance intelligence capabilities and address vulnerabilities in space systems.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) and Saab are close to the first flight of an MQ-9B Reaper equipped to perform airborne early warning (AEW) duties.

The U.S. Marine Corps recently reached initial operational capability on a slew of capabilities for its General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. MQ-9 fleet.

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The U.S. Air Force is now looking at options for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance uncrewed aircraft in the “attritable” cost category.

USAF ferries MQ-9s across the Atlantic bypassing dismantling to save time, revealing stretched airlift capacity and operational urgency.

France tests MQ-9 Reaper for counterdrone missions using Hellfire missiles and electro-optics to engage low- and medium-altitude threats.

BAE Systems repackaged the EA-37B Compass Call’s advanced electronic attack systems into a pod that could be carried by a large uncrewed aircraft system.

Spain has added a signals intelligence capability to its General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) fleet.

General Atomics is hoping to build U.S. Navy interest in its MQ-9B SkyGuardian uncrewed aircraft system through an upcoming leasing program with the service.

Air Force Special Operations Command is in the middle of an overhaul of its fleet.

GA-ASI will explore the fitment of long-range standoff weapons on the MQ-9B SkyGuardian UAS as it looks to broaden the scope of roles it performs.

General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems Inc. has signed up an Emirati company to co-produce MQ-9B Sea Guardians.

Germany has ordered eight General Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian uncrewed aircraft systems to perform maritime patrol.

Japan plans to study the use of General Atomics MQ-9B UAS for aerial interception missions, as it faces airspace intrusions by Chinese and Russian aircraft.

Belgium and Italy have been approved to acquire Lockheed Martin-made air-to-ground weaponry from the U.S. by the State Department.

North Korea's Air Force unveiled a UAS variant derived from the Saebyeol-9 and a new MALE platform similar to General Atomics' MQ-9 at an anniversary event.

The Gulf is no longer the hottest military market, but it is still a prized opportunity for defense companies.

The Pentagon is sending its newest aircraft carrier along with its embarked air wing and a group of support ships to the Caribbean.

The industrial partners working on the Eurodrone uncrewed aircraft system have completed its critical design review.

Italy has budgeted nearly €600 million ($697 million) through 2030 to launch the acquisition of a new maritime patrol aircraft.