General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc

USMC Receives Extended Range MQ-9A Reaper® from GA-ASI

The U.S. Marine Corps has received a technologically advanced MQ-9A Reaper® UAS from GA-ASI, featuring wing-borne fuel pods and reinforced landing gear for extended 30+ hour endurance By Sarah Simpson / 01 May 2025
USMC Receives Extended Range MQ-9A Reaper® from GA-ASI
Follow DA

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has delivered an MQ-9A Reaper® Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC).

The new MQ-9A Block 5 Extended Range (ER) UAS was delivered on April 22, 2025, and will be operated by Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VMX-1), a USMC operational test squadron based at Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Arizona.

The new MQ-9A UAS will be used by the USMC to perform operational tests and evaluations, as well as create Marine Aviation tactics, techniques, and procedures through experimentation as the Marines fully implement MQ-9A as a critical part of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF).

The Marine Corps is building out its ISR capabilities with this new aircraft,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “We are excited to see what VMX-1 does in terms of operational test in preparation for pushing new capabilities into the field.

The MQ-9A ER is designed with field-retrofittable capabilities, such as wing-borne fuel pods and reinforced landing gear, that extend the aircraft’s endurance to more than 30 hours while further increasing its operational flexibility.

It provides long-endurance, persistent surveillance capabilities, with Full-Motion Video and Synthetic Aperture Radar/Moving Target Indicator/Maritime Mode Radar.

An extremely reliable aircraft, MQ-9A ER is equipped with a fault-tolerant flight control system and a triple-redundant avionics system architecture. It is engineered to meet and exceed manned aircraft reliability standards.

To date, GA-ASI has delivered 18 MQ-9A UAS to USMC. The USMC awaits delivery of two additional aircraft by the end of this year.

To learn more, visit the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc Partner Hub: Innovation Partner Hub
Posted by Sarah Simpson Edited by Sarah Simpson, Content Manager with a passion for research and creating digital copy with a focus on new technology. Connect & Contact

More from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc

GA-ASI & Marine Corps Advance MQ-9A Operational Capabilities

The U.S. Marine Corps has accumulated over 1,000 flight hours using the MQ-9A unmanned aircraft in collaboration with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI)

Apr 30, 2025
GA-ASI Invests in Dutch Firms to Advance Defense Innovation After BMN

GA-ASI is set to invest in two Dutch companies following their selection at the Blue Magic Netherlands defense innovation event

Apr 25, 2025
GA-ASI to Collaborate with Hanwha Aerospace on UAS Development

GA-ASI and Hanwha Aerospace have agreed to jointly develop UAS for defense applications worldwide, following a successful flight demonstration in South Korea that highlighted the versatility of the MQ-1C Gray Eagle® STOL for multi-domain operations

Apr 14, 2025
Influence in Engineering Award Goes to GA-ASI Project Engineer

For GA-ASI, project engineer Megan Kendrick has demonstrated outstanding leadership in overseeing program design, integration, and testing within the company’s Small UAS program

Apr 11, 2025
GA-ASI Expands Targeting Capability for MQ-9B SeaGuardian

GA-ASI has demonstrated the ability to send sensor data to a missile via Link 16 messaging, enabling the MQ-9B SeaGuardian® UAS to close gaps on maritime targets

Apr 10, 2025
Successful First Flight of Belgium’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian® RPA

The first flight to prove the controllability and safe landing of the new MQ-9B SkyGuardian® to be delivered to Belgium has been completed by GA-ASI and the Belgian Ministry of Defence

Apr 01, 2025
Advancing Defense Capability Through Strategic Collaboration Defense Advancement works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive defense capabilities forward.