MQ-9 Reaper
 | This article does not have any sources. (June 2024) |
The MQ-9 Reaper is a military drone used for many roles. The drone has a crew of two. They remote control it from the ground like a civilian drone but with a computer at a ground control base instead of a remote controller. From the terminal one crew member operates the sensors and weapons. The other crew member is the commander and pilot of the drone. It has many video cameras and sensors and is able to Takeoff and land on its own. The Reaper is mostly used for reconnaissance. It can also do loitering, close air support along with search and rescue. Because of its cameras and sensors the drone is used to point out targets for military vehicles and other aircraft. It is also used to guard groups of military vehicles. When used for strike missions the drone is very accurate. Up to eight missiles can be put on the wings. The drone is good at asymmetric warfare because it can wait around a area 24 hours and attack fast. The Reaper was made to be a bigger and more powerful aircraft than the Predator drones.[1]
Specifications
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Who makes it: General Atomics[1]
Unit Cost: $56.5 million (includes four aircraft with sensors, ground control station and Predator Primary satellite link)[1]
Width: 66 feet (20.1 meters)[1]
Length: 36 feet (11 meters)[1]
Height: 12.5 feet (3.8 meters)[1]
Weight: 4,900 pounds[1]
Maximum takeoff weight: 10,500 pounds[1]
Fuel Capacity: 602 gallons[1]
How much weapons can it carry: 3,750 pounds[1]
How fast: Mach 0.36[1]
How far can it go and still come back: 1,150 miles[1]
How high can it go:50000 feet[1]
Weapons: AGM-114 Hellfire missiles or GBU-12 Paveway II or GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions or GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II or GBU-54 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munitions[1]
Crew (remote): Two (pilot and sensor operator)[1]