2 sources · first reported 1h ago

The US Air Force is seeking a new, lower-cost armed drone to replace the MQ-9 Reaper, with General Atomics' Wildfire as a potential successor. The Wildfire is intended to perform the same missions as the MQ-9 at a lower cost. This development comes after significant losses of Reaper drones.
The development of the Wildfire drone matters as it could provide the US Air Force with a more cost-effective solution for armed drone operations, potentially altering the landscape of unmanned aerial vehicle capabilities. This could have significant implications for future military operations and defense strategies.
How this story unfolded across sources, oldest first.