MQ-9 ReaperThe MQ-9 Reaper (Grim Reaper) is a UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) from the U.S. manufacturer General Atomics. It was developed in 2000 from the smaller MQ-1 Predator for use as an Aerial Support Drone (Hunter-Killer UAV). The first flight of the prototype took place on 2 February 2001. Initially designated Predator B the drone is four times heavier than the MQ-1 and can carry a ten times larger weapon load. Since February 2003 the new drone is officially referred to as the MQ-9A and since September 2006 designated Reaper. Rockets, guided bombs or additional fuel tanks can be fitted to four under-wing mounts. Four air-to-ground AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles can be used with the MQ-9 on twin carriers. The U.S. GBU-12 / B Paveway II precision bomb is an unguided bomb to which a laser guided Paveway II guidance and control unit is fitted.
The GBU-38 JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) is another weapon upgraded by means of retrofit kit for precision bombing. Guidance is either through a combined INS / GPS system or a laser target designation system. After the Viper Strike GBU-44 the GBU-39 SDB (Small Diameter Bomb) is the smallest precision-guided bomb in use with the U.S. military. It has been in service since September 2006. The Reaper has sensors in the optical and infra-red spectrum as well as radar for reconnaissance and target acquisition. At the end of 2006 the U.S. Air Force activated the 42nd Attack Squadron at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada as their first Reaper Squadron. At the beginning of 2009 the USAF had about 28 Reaper UAV's. During the coming years procurement of an additional 60 MQ-9 is planned. The USAF has deployed its MQ-9 in Afghanistan since 2007. Each Reaper is controlled by a pilot supported by an intelligence officer from a central Command Post at Creech Air Force Base. A pilot at the Deployment Site only takes over control for the take-off and landing phases. With a typical armament for a Close Air Support mission consisting of two laser-guided 250kg GBU-12 Paveway II and four AGM-114 Hellfire missiles the Reaper can stay in the air for 15 hours. When necessary the detection tracking and combating of stationary or moving targets is possible by day and night. The 27th October 2007 saw the first use of an MQ-9 weapon system in combat. The Royal Air Force (RAF) uses its MQ-9 in Afghanistan, also controlled from Creech AFB, Nevada. The RAF will procure at least 10 Reapers. RAF Waddington will become their home base from 2012 onwards. Since the middle of 2011 the first two from a total of 6 MQ-9 ordered by the Italian Air Force have been ready for deployment from the Amendola Air Base. On 10 August 2011 Italy launced the Drone on its first mission over Libya. By March 2010 the 174th Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard at Hancock Field Air Base in Syracuse, NY had replaced its F-16C's completely with MQ-9's.
Technical Data MQ--9A:Length: 10,97m (36ft)
Wingspan: 20,12m (66ft)
Height: 3,8m (12ft 6ins)
Empty weight: 2223kg (4900lbs)
Take-off Weight max.: 4763kg (10502lbs)
Fuel Capacity: 1815kg (4000lbs)
Maximum Speed: 482km/h (299mph)
Cruising Speed: 313km/h (195mph)
Service Ceiling: 15400m (50500ft)
Radius of action: 3065km (1903miles)
Maximum Endurance: 30 hours
Engine: Honeywell TPE-331-10 Turboprop
Performance: 670kW (900 BHP)
Armament: max. 1361kg
Model Kit Data:Length: 237mm
Wingspan: 420mm
no. of parts: 77
Skill level: 3 (of 5)
