MQ-09 REAPER

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has secured a contract to provide software support to the US Air Force Special Operations Command’s (AFSOC) MQ-9 unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

Under the $34m contract, the company will build up and field the AFSOC’s MQ-9 medium altitude long endurance tactical (MALET) lead-off hitter (LOH) software line.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Additionally, the company will develop a process to rapidly field capabilities to address activities causing software changes such as software defect corrections, threats, policy or doctrine driven, safety, interoperability, as well as other software changes resulting from hardware upgrades.

The company will undertake the work at its facility in Poway, California; Clovis, New Mexico; and Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, US.

Work is scheduled for completion by 28 February 2018.

The MQ-9 Reaper is a medium-to-high altitude, long-endurance UAS and is designed to perform strike, coordination, and reconnaissance against high-value, fleeting, and time-sensitive targets.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Reaper delivers increased battlefield situational awareness, enhances combat search and rescue, and provides ground troop support.

"The aircraft has a maximum altitude of 50,000ft and is capable of staying aloft for up to 27 hours."

The aircraft has a maximum altitude of 50,000ft and is capable of staying aloft for up to 27 hours.

Currently, the US Air Force and the UK Royal Air Force are using Predator B as MQ-9 Reaper, while the Italian Air Force terms it MQ-9.

Last week, the US Department of Defence (DoD) selected GA-ASI as the prime contractor for a foreign military sale (FMS) of additional MQ-9 UAS to France.

Work under the contract is expected to be completed by 31 October 2017.

Image: MQ-9 unmanned aerial systems. Photo: courtesy of US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Larry E. Reid Jr.