General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has flown the first production MQ-9A Multi-Domain Operations (M2DO)-ready variant of the U.S. Air Force MQ-9A Reaper.
The upgraded version of the MQ-9A Block 5 remotely piloted aircraft, also known as the “-25”, includes key features that will enable future integration and fielding of Open Mission Systems (OMS) as well as new sensors that will further expand the MQ-9A Reaper’s strategic reconnaissance capabilities.
The -25 features improved power distribution and redundancy, GPS improvements, radar altimeters, nose wheel steering, and angle of attack (AoA) sensor system improvements.
The U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps are both due to receive the improved MQ-9A Block 5 -25 M2DO-ready aircraft under current contracts; however, the total number of aircraft receiving these improvements has not been released.
GA-ASI Vice President of USAF Programs Claudia Mowery, said: “We’re excited to position the MQ-9A enterprise for new missions through these capabilities. Future funding could potentially expand these capabilities to the entire MQ-9A fleet.”
