General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GAAS) has been awarded a firm-fixed-price modification contract for six MQ-9 Reaper production aircraft and two MQ-9 Reaper aircraft.

Under the $50.2m contract, the US Air Force (USAF) will utilise the Reaper aircraft as ground maintenance devices.

The MQ-9 Reaper is a medium-to-high altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft system designed for performing close air support, air interdiction, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

The aircraft incorporates a laser rangefinder for laser-guided munitions and is also equipped with a synthetic aperture radar to enable GBU-38 joint direct attack munitions targeting.

Work will be performed at the company’s facility in Poway, California, US.