RAF Reaper in Afghan photo: UK MoD Copyright US State Department has approved Foreign Military Sale of hunter killer MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned...
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| RAF Reaper in Afghan photo: UK MoD Copyright |
The deal is for 4 MQ-9 Block 5 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft,
4 Mobile Ground Control Stations Block 30 (option Block 50),
6 Honeywell TPE331-10T Turboprop Engines (4 installed and 2 spares),
2 SATCOM Earth Terminal Sub-System, 6 AN/DAS-1 Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems (MTS)-B, 4 General Atomics Lynx (exportable) Synthetic Aperture Radar/Ground Moving, Target Indicator (SAR/GMTI) Systems, w/Maritime Wide Area Search capability, 2 Ruggedized Aircraft Maintenance Test Stations and associated systems and support.
Also included are an Initial Spares Package (ISP) and Readiness Spares Package (RSP) to support 3400 Flight Hours for a three (3) year period, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support.
This potential sale will enhance the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability of the Dutch military in support of national, NATO, UN-mandated, and other coalition operations. Commonality of ISR capabilities will greatly increase interoperability between U.S and Dutch military and peacekeeping forces.
The MQ-9 is the first hunter-killer UAV designed for long-endurance, high-altitude surveillance. It is developed from the famous MQ-1 Predator UAV.
The MQ-9 is a larger, heavier, and more capable than the Predator.
Weighing 4,760 kg, the Reaper is powered by a single 950- shaft-horsepower(712 kW) turboprop engine, that enable it to carry a total payload of 1,700 kg both internaly and externaly.
Reapers can perform intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, close air support, combat search and rescue, precision strike, buddy-laser, convoy/raid overwatch, route clearance, target development, and terminal air guidance.
The MQ-9 can employ four laser-guided missiles, Air-to-Ground Missile-114 Hellfire, which possess highly accurate, low-collateral damage, anti-armor and anti-personnel engagement capabilities.
