The MQ-9 Reaper – Islamofascists beware.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Contractor: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Incorporated
Crew(remote): 2 (Pilot plus a sensor operator)
Landing Type: runway
Launch Type: runway
Power Plant: Honeywell TP331-10T turboprop engine, 950 SHP (712 kW)
Fuel Capacity: 1815 kg (4,000 lb)
Length: 11 m (36 ft)
Wingspan: 20 m (66 ft)
Height: 3.8 m (12.5 ft)
Empty weight: 2223 kg (4,900 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 4760 kg (10,500 lb)
PERFORMANCE
Service ceiling: 15 km (50,000 ft)
Operational altitude: 7.5 km (25,000 ft)
Endurance: 14–28 hours (14 hours fully loaded)
Range: 5,926 km (3,200 nmi, 3,682 mi)
Payload: 3,750 lb (1,700 kg)
Maximum speed: 482 km/h (300 mph, 260 knots)
Cruise speed: 276-313 km/h (172-195 mph, 150-170 knots)
SENSORS
AN/APY-8 Lynx II radar
AN/DAS-1 MTS-B Multi-Spectral Targeting System
ARMAMENT
6 Hardpoints
1,500 lb (680 kg) on the two inboard weapons stations
500–600 lb (230–270 kg) on the two middle stations
150–200 lb (68–91 kg) on the outboard stations
Up to 14x AGM-114 Hellfire air to ground missiles can be carried or four Hellfire missiles and two 500 lb (230 kg) GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs. The 500 lb (230 kg) GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) can also be carried. Testing is underway to allow for the addition of the AIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missile to be carried as well.
LDC has seen the U.S. military start to heavily rely on this bird for air support of special operations forces (SOFs) in Afghanistan as recent as last year when SecDef Robert Gates pushed for the Air Force to speed up the UAV program. The Reaper, essentially the Predator on steroids has seen a lot of success in America’s fight against Islamofascism.
LDC hopes to see more utilization and use of this remarkable aircraft in the future due to it’s stellar capbility to hunt down and kill specific Islamofascist Tangos and support our men and women on the ground against possible threats. Please watch this video for more:
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