US Marine Corps receives first MQ-9 Reaper drone

Last year, the U.S. Marine Corps ordered eight MQ-9 Reaper drones.First

The drone was recently delivered.

What is known

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.(GA-AS) in 2022 received $136 million for the production of MQ-9 Reaper drones. The remaining seven drones will be transferred to the US Marine Corps before the end of this year. The deal was completed with the assistance of the US Navy.

Reaper is an unmanned aircraft systemfifth group. The purchase decision was made against the background of the successful use of the MQ-9 by the US Air Force. Drones will allow Marines to improve the quality of reconnaissance missions.

The MQ-9 Reaper was designed as an unmanneda platform that will be able to collect intelligence data for the military. Now it is used to strike at enemy targets due to the ability to carry precision-guided munitions.

The US Marine Corps will usedrones outside the country. In particular, they will support operations in the area of ​​responsibility of the Indo-Pacific Command. This was stated by Lieutenant Colonel Lee Irwin (Leigh Irwin), director of the MQ-9 program.