Aircraft & UAVs

MQ-9 Reaper

Also known as
  • MQ-9A
  • MQ-9A Reaper
  • Predator B
  • Reaper

The MQ-9 Reaper is a General Atomics medium-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft built for persistent intelligence collection and precision strike. Larger and more powerful than the MQ-1 Predator, it combines satellite control, electro-optical and infrared sensors, laser designation, and weapons such as Hellfire missiles and guided bombs, making it a recurring U.S. and coalition platform in counterterrorism, maritime-security, and regional-strike operations.

MQ-9 Reaper, Medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicle, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: File: MQ-9 Reaper - 090609-F-0000M-777.JPG

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
Medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicle
Service note
Entered U.S. Air Force service in 2007 and remains in post-2015 combat and surveillance use.
Designer
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
Designed
First flown in 2001
Unit cost
$56.5 million for a system including four aircraft, sensors, ground control station, and satellite link in FY2011 dollars
Produced
2000s-present
Developed from
General Atomics MQ-1 Predator

Specifications

Primary function
Intelligence collection in support of strike, coordination, and reconnaissance missions
Crew
Two remote crew members: pilot and sensor operator
Endurance
More than 27 hours for MQ-9A; about 34 hours for MQ-9A Extended Range
Payload
3,750 lb (1,701 kg) total payload according to the U.S. Air Force
Ceiling
Up to 50,000 ft
Speed
Up to 240 KTAS
Armament
AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and GBU-12, GBU-38, GBU-49, or GBU-54 guided bombs
Dimensions
66 ft wingspan, 36 ft length, and 12.5 ft height
Variants

The MQ-9A Reaper record covers the baseline Predator B-derived combat aircraft; related GA-ASI family rows below separate the Extended Range configuration from newer MQ-9B airframes.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
MQ-9A Extended RangeEndurance-focused configuration

General Atomics lists an Extended Range configuration with about 34 hours of endurance, compared with more than 27 hours for the baseline MQ-9A.

Sources: MQ-9A Reaper (Predator B)

MQ-9B SkyGuardianNext-generation RPAS airframe

General Atomics describes SkyGuardian as an MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft designed for over-the-horizon satellite operation and civil-airspace integration.

Sources: MQ-9B SkyGuardian

MQ-9B SeaGuardianMaritime-focused MQ-9B configuration

General Atomics describes SeaGuardian as the maritime-focused sibling of SkyGuardian with bolt-on/bolt-off maritime sensors.

Sources: MQ-9B SeaGuardian

Carried Munitions

Official Air Force sources list Hellfire missiles and several 500-pound guided bombs in the MQ-9 Reaper's armament, while other official videos and trials document additional carried or demonstrated weapons.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
AGM-114 Hellfire missile family, Air-to-surface missile family, MunitionsAGM-114 Hellfire missile familyAir-to-ground missile family

The Air Force fact sheet and Lockheed Martin source document the MQ-9 Reaper as able to carry and employ AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.

Sources: MQ-9 Reaper Fact Sheet, First Live Warhead Flight for Lockheed Martin's Multi-Purpose HELLFIRE II Missile

GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition, 500-pound GPS/INS-guided bomb, MunitionsGBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition500-pound GPS-guided bomb

The Air Force fact sheet lists the GBU-38 among guided bombs carried by the MQ-9 Reaper.

Sources: MQ-9 Reaper Fact Sheet

GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II, 500-pound GPS/laser-guided bomb, MunitionsGBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II500-pound dual-mode guided bomb

The Air Force fact sheet lists the GBU-49 as part of the MQ-9 Reaper guided-bomb armament set.

Sources: MQ-9 Reaper Fact Sheet

GBU-54 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition, 500-pound dual-mode guided bomb, MunitionsGBU-54 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition500-pound laser/GPS-guided bomb

The Air Force fact sheet lists the GBU-54 as an MQ-9 Reaper guided-bomb option.

Sources: MQ-9 Reaper Fact Sheet

GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb - reported MQ-9 use, lower confidence, Precision-guided glide bomb, MunitionsGBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb - reported MQ-9 use, lower confidencePrecision-guided glide bomb

An official U.S. loading video showed GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs loaded on an MQ-9 Reaper at Creech Air Force Base.

Sources: GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs Loaded on MQ-9 B-Roll

Demonstrated Launched Munitions

MBDA and UK government reporting document the MQ-9 Reaper as a Brimstone launch platform during firing trials.

Launched itemItem typeLaunch evidence
Brimstone, Anti-tank guided missile, MunitionsBrimstoneAnti-tank guided missile

The UK government reported a trial firing of a dual-mode Brimstone precision missile from a Reaper, and MBDA later said Brimstone had been demonstrated from Reaper RPAS.

Sources: Ambassador Westmacott visits RAF Squadron in Nevada, Brimstone - When missing is not an option

Mission Systems and Loadout

The MQ-9 is built around persistent remotely piloted surveillance that can transition into precision attack when weapons are carried. Official Air Force and General Atomics material describe the aircraft as a satellite-controlled platform with electro-optical and infrared sensing, laser designation, synthetic-aperture radar, and multi-hardpoint carriage for missiles and guided bombs.

AreaDocumented configurationWhy it matters
Control crewRemote pilot and sensor operatorSeparates aircraft control from sensor and targeting work during long ISR or strike missions.
Sensor packageElectro-optical/infrared sensors, laser designation, and synthetic-aperture radarSupports surveillance, target tracking, and laser-guided weapon employment from the same orbit.
Weapons fitHellfire missiles plus GBU-12, GBU-38, GBU-49, and GBU-54 guided bombs in Air Force listingsGives the aircraft a mix of missile and bomb options for armed reconnaissance and precision fires.
Endurance splitMore than 27 hours for MQ-9A; about 34 hours for MQ-9A Extended Range in GA-ASI dataExplains why the Reaper is often represented as a persistent orbit rather than a short-duration strike aircraft.

Sources: MQ-9 Reaper Fact Sheet; MQ-9A Reaper (Predator B).

Timeline

MQ-9 Reaper Key Events

  1. Predator B first flight

    General Atomics traces the MQ-9A Reaper family to the Predator B first flight in 2001.

    Sources: MQ-9A Reaper (Predator B)

  2. U.S. Air Force service entry

    The U.S. Air Force fact sheet lists 2007 as the MQ-9 Reaper's service-entry year.

    Sources: MQ-9 Reaper Fact Sheet

  3. Iraq combat strike

    An MQ-9 Reaper dropped a 500-pound bomb on anti-Iraqi forces near Balad during early operational use in Iraq.

    Sources: Reaper Drops Bomb on Anti-Iraqi Forces

  4. Raqqah operation coverage

    Air Force reporting described MQ-9 crews as integral to coalition close air support, reconnaissance, overwatch, buddy lasing, and precision strikes around Raqqah.

    Sources: Combat RPAs Integral in Defeating ISIS

  5. Baghdad airport strike

    Reporting on the Soleimani strike identified a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper as the aircraft used in the Baghdad airport attack.

    Sources: A visual guide to the US airstrike that killed Qassem Suleimani

  6. Red Sea shootdown

    USNI News reported the Houthi shootdown of a U.S. MQ-9 over the Red Sea during the crisis around Yemen-linked attacks on shipping.

    Sources: Houthis Shoot Down U.S. MQ-9 Reaper Over Red Sea

Media

MQ-9 Reaper Videos

MQ-9 Reaper Images

MQ-9 Reaper, Medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicle, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: File: First MQ-9 Reaper Taxies at Creech AFB 2007
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Related News

Sources

MQ-9 Reaper Fact SheetPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports U.S. Air Force role, contractor, service entry, armament, dimensions, payload, unit-cost, and crew details. | Accessed: 2026-06-20GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs Loaded on MQ-9 B-RollPublisher: Secretary of the Air Force Office of Energy, Installations, and Environment | Note: Official U.S. loading video showing GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs loaded on an MQ-9 Reaper at Creech Air Force Base. | Accessed: 2026-06-28First Live Warhead Flight for Lockheed Martin's Multi-Purpose HELLFIRE II MissilePublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports MQ-9 carriage and employment of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles during the first live warhead flight. | Accessed: 2026-06-28Ambassador Westmacott visits RAF Squadron in NevadaPublisher: UK Ministry of Defence | Note: Supports Reaper trial firing of Brimstone during UK and U.S. testing in Nevada. | Accessed: 2026-06-28Brimstone - When missing is not an optionPublisher: MBDA | Note: Supports Reaper Brimstone firing-trial and launch-platform context. | Accessed: 2026-06-28MQ-9A Reaper (Predator B)Publisher: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems | Note: Supports manufacturer background, first-flight context, endurance, speed, altitude, payload, mission systems, and ER variant details. | Accessed: 2026-06-20MQ-9B SkyGuardianPublisher: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems | Note: Supports adjacent MQ-9B SkyGuardian family context, endurance framing, satellite-control description, and civil-airspace integration claims. | Accessed: 2026-07-01MQ-9B SeaGuardianPublisher: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems | Note: Supports adjacent MQ-9B SeaGuardian family context and maritime sensor configuration claims. | Accessed: 2026-07-01File: MQ-9 Reaper - 090609-F-0000M-777.JPGPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Public-domain U.S. Air Force image of an MQ-9 Reaper in flight, used for primary image provenance. | Accessed: 2026-06-20File: First MQ-9 Reaper Taxies at Creech AFB 2007Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Public-domain U.S. Air Force image of the first MQ-9 Reaper taxiing at Creech Air Force Base, used for gallery context. | Accessed: 2026-07-01MQ-9 Reaper Keeps Eyes on TargetsPublisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Directly documents post-2015 Afghanistan conflict use: MQ-9 operations from Kandahar Airfield. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Reaper Drops Bomb on Anti-Iraqi ForcesPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Directly documents 2003 Iraq War conflict use: a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper dropped a 500-pound bomb on anti-Iraqi forces near Balad in August 2008. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Combat RPAs Integral in Defeating ISISPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports 2014 War Against the Islamic State direct conflict use under Operation Inherent Resolve: Directly documents 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve conflict use: MQ-9 Reapers in Raqqah combat operations against ISIS. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Providing Freedom from Terror: MQ-9s Help Reclaim SirtePublisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Directly documents 2016 U.S. Campaign Against ISIS in Libya conflict use: MQ-9 Reapers in the 2016 Sirte campaign by U.S. and Libyan Government of National Accord forces. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Statement from U.S. Central Command on Attacks Against U.S. Observation AircraftPublisher: U.S. Central Command | Note: Directly documents 2014 Yemen Civil War conflict use: a U.S. MQ-9 shot down over Yemen by Houthi-aligned forces in June 2019. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Houthis Shoot Down U.S. MQ-9 Reaper Over Red SeaPublisher: USNI News | Note: Directly documents 2023 Red Sea Crisis conflict use: the November 2023 Houthi shootdown of a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper over the Red Sea. | Accessed: 2026-06-20A visual guide to the US airstrike that killed Qassem SuleimaniPublisher: The Guardian | Note: Directly documents 2020 United States-Iran Conflict use: an American MQ-9 Reaper used by U.S. forces carried out the Baghdad strike that killed Qassem Soleimani. | Accessed: 2026-06-20US Flying Drones Above Gaza in Search for HostagesPublisher: ABC News | Note: Directly documents 2023 Israel-Hamas War conflict use: U.S. officials said unarmed MQ-9 Reaper flights operated over Gaza for hostage-recovery support after the October 7 attack. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Tracking US Military Assets in the Iran WarPublisher: Atlantic Council | Note: Directly documents 2025 Israel-Iran Conflict use: MQ-9 Reapers were used by the United States in Operation Epic Fury, with several aircraft loitering over enemy airspace at a time. | Accessed: 2026-06-22Deep Suspicion of US Lingers as Iran Ponders Agreement to End WarPublisher: Al Jazeera | Note: Directly documents 2025 Israel-Iran Conflict use: Iranian forces said they shot down a U.S.-made MQ-9 Reaper drone during the U.S.-Israel war on Iran after renewed U.S. strikes. | Accessed: 2026-06-22