The latest and upgraded Block 5 version of the General Dynamics MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) flew its successful debut...
The latest and upgraded Block 5 version of the General Dynamics MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) flew its successful debut combat mission on June 23, 2017, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (against ISIS).
The U.S. Air Force aircrew flew a sortie of more than 16 hours with a full payload of weapons including GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions and AGM-114 Hellfire air to ground missiles.
During the mission, the crew employed one GBU-38 and two Hellfires while providing hours of armed reconnaissance for supported ground forces.
“All three strikes met the ground force commander’s intent and destroyed two defensive fighting positions, two vehicles and one mortar tube said Maj. Dan, the 432nd Wing director of operations.”
The Block 5 MQ-9 is equipped with improved electrical and communications systems which provides better software and hardware upgrades for future operations providing dominant persistent attack and reconnaissance to joint force commanders. The aircraft must also be flown with the new Block 30 cockpit that required different training for the aircrews.
The new MQ-9 aircraft arrived to Creech AFB in late February and additional modifications, such as the battery cables and enhanced generator control units, were completed in April.
In May, these MQ-9s were flown locally at Creech AFB to test airworthiness after the modifications. By the end of May they were packed up again and shipped to the area of responsibility.
By early 2018, USAF is retiring all its MQ-1 Predator UAV fleet which flew for 21 years, and moving to an all MQ-9 Reaper fleet.
Powered by a 900 SHP Honeywell TPE331-10GD turboprop engine, the Reaper has 1,150 miles (1,000 nautical miles) range and provide armed Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capability.
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| (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christian Clausen) |
The U.S. Air Force aircrew flew a sortie of more than 16 hours with a full payload of weapons including GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions and AGM-114 Hellfire air to ground missiles.
During the mission, the crew employed one GBU-38 and two Hellfires while providing hours of armed reconnaissance for supported ground forces.
“All three strikes met the ground force commander’s intent and destroyed two defensive fighting positions, two vehicles and one mortar tube said Maj. Dan, the 432nd Wing director of operations.”
The Block 5 MQ-9 is equipped with improved electrical and communications systems which provides better software and hardware upgrades for future operations providing dominant persistent attack and reconnaissance to joint force commanders. The aircraft must also be flown with the new Block 30 cockpit that required different training for the aircrews.
The new MQ-9 aircraft arrived to Creech AFB in late February and additional modifications, such as the battery cables and enhanced generator control units, were completed in April.
In May, these MQ-9s were flown locally at Creech AFB to test airworthiness after the modifications. By the end of May they were packed up again and shipped to the area of responsibility.
By early 2018, USAF is retiring all its MQ-1 Predator UAV fleet which flew for 21 years, and moving to an all MQ-9 Reaper fleet.
Powered by a 900 SHP Honeywell TPE331-10GD turboprop engine, the Reaper has 1,150 miles (1,000 nautical miles) range and provide armed Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capability.
