The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) on November 5 announced that it had awarded a $263 million contract ($263,403,355 firm-fixed-price contract) to the General Atomics – Aeronautical Systems Inc. for MQ-9 Reaper production.
According to DoD, the contract provides for the production of the MQ-9 Reaper aircraft in the fiscal 2018 production configuration that will be done at Poway, California, and is scheduled to be complete by Nov. 30, 2021.
MQ-9 Reaper is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of remotely controlled or self-directed flight operations, manufactured and produced by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems mainly for the United States Air Force (USAF).
MQ-9 Reaper designed for long-endurance, high-altitude surveillance. It is faster, larger and has the ability to carry a larger payload than the MQ-1 Predator.
MQ-9 is better armed as compared to MQ-1 unmanned vehicle due to its increased speed, high-definition sensors and its capability to carry more weaponries. These combat features allow the MQ-9 to complete a wider range of mission sets which can help the Air Force stay prepared in the fight.
