Normal Atomics Aeronautical Methods, Inc. (GA-ASI) delivered an MQ-9A Reaper® Unmanned Plane Methods (UAS) to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC). The brand new MQ-9A Block 5 Prolonged Vary (ER) UAS was delivered on April 22, 2025, and will likely be operated by Marine Operational Check and Analysis Squadron 1 (VMX-1), a USMC operational take a look at squadron based mostly at Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Arizona.
The brand new MQ-9A UAS will likely be utilized by the USMC to carry out operational checks and evaluations, in addition to create Marine Aviation techniques, strategies, and procedures by way of experimentation because the Marines totally implement MQ-9A as a important a part of the Marine Air-Floor Process Power (MAGTF).
“The Marine Corps is constructing out its ISR capabilities with this new plane,” stated GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “We’re excited to see what VMX-1 does when it comes to operational take a look at in preparation for pushing new capabilities into the sphere.”
The MQ-9A ER is designed with field-retrofittable capabilities, reminiscent of wing-borne gas pods and strengthened touchdown gear, that reach the plane’s endurance to greater than 30 hours whereas additional growing its operational flexibility. It supplies long-endurance, persistent surveillance capabilities, with Full-Movement Video and Artificial Aperture Radar/Shifting Goal Indicator/Maritime Mode Radar. A particularly dependable plane, MQ-9A ER is provided with a fault-tolerant flight management system and a triple-redundant avionics system structure. It’s engineered to satisfy and exceed manned plane reliability requirements.
Up to now, GA-ASI has delivered 18 MQ-9A UAS to USMC. The USMC awaits supply of two further plane by the top of this yr.
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