The USAF operates over 300 MQ-9 Reapers, with ongoing retrofitting for improved performance in high-end combat situations.
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Here's a small compilation on the much discussed MQ-9B. I have focused on the two variants, SkyGuardian (for air force) and SeaGuardian (for navy). There's a 3rd one STOL too. It could be a very elaborate write up but have tried to keep it at a minimum.
With the ongoing news articles, there is some confusion over the nomenclature of the drone, with even the US government using different names — MQ-9, MQ-9A and MQ-9B — apparently interchangeably.
The data for the writeup has been taken from US Airforce, GAAS, Wikipedia and other few websites. There is some visible difference even on the technical specs on all three major sources. I took the one which looked the best.
Introduction:
The MQ-9B, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, is a sophisticated UAV designed for long-endurance missions. It belongs to the family of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, also known as Predator B operates remotely or autonomously. The MQ-9, categorised as a Remotely Piloted Vehicle/Aircraft (RPV/RPA) by the USAF, shares ground control systems with the MQ-1 Predator (first flight July, 1994) but is larger and more capable.
Distinguished by a 950 horsepower turboprop engine, the Reaper surpasses the MQ-1's capabilities, carrying a 15-fold increase in ordnance payload and cruising at about three times the speed. It boasts a cruising speed of 280–310 km/h. The Ground Control Station (GCS) manages and monitors the aircraft, including weapon deployment. The MQ-9 pioneered the long-endurance, high-altitude surveillance role, evolving from intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to an attack UAV.
The USAF operates over 300 MQ-9 Reapers, with ongoing retrofitting for improved performance in high-end combat situations. The projected end of service life for the fleet is 2035. The MQ-9A evolved into the MQ-9B, known as SkyGuardian or SeaGuardian based on mission and payload specifications.
Development:
The inaugural flight of the General Atomics "Predator B-001," a proof-of-concept aircraft, happened on 2 February 2001. Designed by Abraham Karem, the Predator's B-001 variant featured an AlliedSignal Garrett TPE331-10T turboprop engine generating 950 horsepower. Its airframe, based on the standard Predator design, had an extended fuselage and wings, increasing the length from 15 m to 20 m. With a speed of 410 km, it could carry a payload of 340 kg up to an altitude of 15,000 m and had an endurance of 30 hours.
General Atomics further developed the design in two directions. The first, "Predator B-002," featured a Williams FJ44-2A turbofan engine with 10.2 kilonewtons thrust. It had a payload capacity of 215 kg, a ceiling of 18,000 m and an endurance of 12 hours. The prototypes, B-001 and B-002, are now retired to the USAF museum at Wright-Patterson AFB.
The second design, known as the "Altair," led to the development of the "Predator B-003." This variant featured a new airframe with a 26 m wingspan and a takeoff weight of approximately 3,200 kg. Powered by a TPE-331-10YGD turboprop, it boasted a payload capacity of 1,400 kg, a maximum ceiling of 16,000 m and an endurance of 36 hours.
A pair of Predator Bs (001 and 002) were delivered in 2002. Initially referred to as "Predator B," the aircraft was later renamed "Reaper" by the USAF. The goal was to enhance the "deadly persistence" capability, enabling continuous operation over a combat area, complementing piloted attack aircraft with the ability to wait for a target day and night. This approach provided a cost-effective solution for prolonged operation and target engagement.
How Does it Operate:
Crews operating the MQ-9 Reaper, including pilots and sensor operators have the capability to track targets and surveil landscapes using a variety of sensors, including a thermographic camera. The integrated camera on board can reportedly discern a licence plate from a distance of 3.2 km. Commands from operators take approximately 1.2 seconds to reach the drone through a satellite link.
A typical MQ-9 system consists of multiple aircraft, ground control station, communications equipment, maintenance spares, and personnel. A military flight crew includes a pilot, sensor operator, and Mission Intelligence Coordinator.
Design:
The aircraft is powered by a 950 horsepower turboprop engine, with a maximum speed of about 480 km/h. Featuring a wingspan of 20 m and a maximum payload capacity of 1,700 kg, the MQ-9 is equipped to carry various munitions, including Hellfire missiles and 230 kg laser-guided bomb units. During Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, its endurance extends to 30 hours, which reduces to 23 hours when carrying a full weapons load. The Reaper boasts an unconfirmed range of 1,850 km and operates at an altitude 7,600 m, making it particularly effective for extended loitering operations, serving both surveillance and ground troop support purposes.
The Raytheon AN/AAS-52 multi-spectral targeting sensor suite on the MQ-9 incorporates color/monochrome daylight TV, infrared, and image-intensified TV with a laser rangefinder/laser designator for target designation in laser-guided munitions. Additionally, the aircraft features the Lynx Multi-mode Radar with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) operating in spotlight and strip modes, along with ground moving target indication (GMTI) incorporating Dismount Moving Target Indicator (DMTI) and Maritime Wide-Area Search (MWAS) capabilities.
The Reaper can serve as a wide-area surveillance sensor system, expanding coverage to 100 km², achieving initial operating capability (IOC) in early 2014. Integrated with the surveillance system are 368 cameras, each capable of capturing five million pixels, generating an image of approximately 1.8 billion pixels. Video is recorded at 12 frames per second, resulting in several terabytes of data per minute.
In January 2012, General Atomics introduced a new trailing arm design for the Reaper's main landing gear, leading to benefits such as a gross takeoff weight of 5,300 kg, a maintenance-free shock absorber eliminating the need for nitrogen pressurisation, a fully rejected takeoff brake system, and provisions for automatic takeoff and landing capability, along with Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) field upgrades. In April 2012, potential upgrades for USAF Reapers were disclosed, including two extra 380 L fuel pods under the wings to extend endurance to 37 hours. The wingspan can also be increased to 27 m, boosting endurance to 42 hours.
The aircraft is equipped with software for automatic threat detection and simultaneous tracking of 12 moving targets. It also has the capability to "super ripple"-fire missiles within 0.32 seconds of each other. On 25 February 2016, General Atomics announced a successful test flight of the new Predator-B/ER version, featuring an extended wingspan of 24 m for increased endurance of 40 hours. Notable improvements include short-field takeoff and landing performance, spoilers on the wings for precision automatic landings, and provisions on the wings for leading-edge de-ice and integrated low- and high-band RF antennas.
There have been numerous reports over the past decade or so of MQ-9 Reapers colliding with Russian Su-27s and other fighter aircrafts while getting themselves damaged and sometimes inflicting damage.
Known Users of MQ-9B:
- France
- India
- Italy
- Japan
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Spain
- USA
- United Kingdom
Variants of MQ-9B:
- MQ-9B SkyGuardian
- MQ-9B SeaGuardian
- MQ-9B STOL (Short Take Off and Landing)
Specifications MQ-9B:
About MQ-9B (SkyGuardian):
MQ-9B SkyGuardian is engineered for over-the-horizon flights via satellite and can operate continuously for up to 40+ hours in diverse weather conditions. It ensures secure integration into civil airspace, allowing joint forces and civil authorities to furnish real-time situational awareness worldwide, day or night. It is equipped with the groundbreaking Lynx® Multi-mode Radar, an advanced electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor, and automatic takeoff and landing capability, featuring an extended wingspan of 24 m.
General characteristics of MQ-9B SkyGuardian:
About MQ-9B (SeaGuardian):
MQ-9B SeaGuardian represents the maritime-focused counterpart to the SkyGuardian, customized with "bolt-on/bolt-off" maritime sensors. SeaGuardian is engineered for over-the-horizon flights via satellite, providing over 30 hours of endurance (configuration-dependent) in diverse weather conditions. It also ensures safe integration into civil airspace, enabling joint forces and civil authorities to furnish real-time situational awareness across the maritime domain, day or night.
It seamlessly incorporates a centerline wide-area maritime radar, an automatic identification system (AIS), electronic support measures, and a self-contained anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission kit. SeaGuardian not only integrates the most advanced maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities but also holds the distinction of being the first RPAS in its class to enable real-time search and patrol activities both above and below the ocean's surface.
Features (SeaGuardian):
SkyGuardian vs SeaGuardian:
The MQ-9B SkyGuardian stands out as the most versatile remotely piloted aircraft in its class currently in operation worldwide – that is, until it undergoes modifications for missions over the ocean, where it assumes a different identity: the MQ-9B SeaGuardian.
The starting point for this dual-capable aircraft is the MQ-9B SkyGuardian, the latest and most advanced member of an unmanned aircraft series developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., headquartered in San Diego. With over 6 million operational hours, much of it in combat, this family of unmanned aerial vehicles features a highly sensitive electro-optical infrared sensor ball and the Lynx multi-mission radar from GA-ASI.
The SkyGuardian can operate in a "clean" configuration, utilizing only its standard sensors and onboard equipment, allowing it to stay airborne for over a day. Alternatively, it can accommodate a variety of advanced payloads, enhancing its capabilities for sensing, communication, and other operations. This includes the capability to launch smaller unmanned aerial systems like GA-ASI’s Sparrowhawk, capable of taking off and returning mid-flight to the primary SkyGuardian aircraft.
These additional payloads may encompass weaponry, ranging from air-to-ground missiles and bombs to air-to-air missiles, along with electronic systems designed to degrade an adversary’s anti-air systems.
When equipped with specialized payloads, the SkyGuardian transforms into the SeaGuardian, ready to operate over the ocean. The SeaGuardian employs its onboard sensors for air and surface reconnaissance, complemented by a dedicated maritime surface search radar. It is also equipped to tap into the nautical Automatic Identification System, used by ships to broadcast crucial details such as their names, types, origins, destinations, and more.
In cases where a ship disables its AIS or when authorities controlling the SeaGuardian need a closer inspection, the aircraft can read the vessel's name from its stern, ascertain its actual type or configuration, and independently gather other relevant details.
The SeaGuardian's capabilities extend below the surface as well. Outfitted with up to 80 G-size sonobuoys, it can initiate or participate in anti-submarine operations alongside traditional naval units like vessels, shipboard helicopters, or crewed patrol aircraft.
In essence, a SeaGuardian is interchangeable with a SkyGuardian, both being variants of the MQ-9B.
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