Air Force Seeks Cheap MQ-9 Alternatives
1 source · first reported 8h ago
The Air Force is looking for new ideas to develop affordable, attritable drones that can perform the MQ-9 Reaper's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance mission, as well as strike capabilities. Vendors are expected to be selected by the end of 2026. The goal is to find alternative solutions that can provide persistent capabilities in a new way.
This effort is significant as it aims to provide the Air Force with cost-effective alternatives to the MQ-9 Reaper, enhancing its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. The development of cheap, attritable drones could also pave the way for innovative solutions in unmanned aerial systems.
Development timeline
How this story unfolded across sources, oldest first.