MQ-9A Reaper
A turboprop remotely piloted aircraft for persistent reconnaissance and multirole missions. MQ-9A and its extended-range retrofit are distinct from the newer MQ-9B family.
- Country / region
- United States
- Programme status
- Use documented
- Sources reviewed
- 20 Sept 2026
- Primary domain
- Air
- System type
- Multirole aircraft
- Developer / manufacturer
- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
- Origin / production countries
- United States
- Other names
- Predator B
- Variants / configurations
- MQ-9A; MQ-9A Extended Range
- Operators / programme customers
- US Air Force; other customers depend on configuration
Evidence & current status
The cited public record documents military use or operator acceptance. Specifications still depend on the particular production version and mission configuration.
Role & capabilities
- Multirole aircraft
- Runway operation
- EO/IR; Lynx radar and other optional mission sensors
Specifications in context
- Airframe
- Fixed-wing, turboprop remotely piloted aircraft
Published supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Launch / recovery
- Runway operation
Published supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Propulsion
- Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop
Published supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Dimensions
- 20.1 m span; 11 m length
USAF fact-sheet dimensions.
Source ↗ - Mass
- 4,760 kg maximum take-off mass; ER 5,307 kg
Baseline and ER are separate configurations.
Source ↗ - Endurance
- More than 27 h baseline; 34 h with ER retrofit
Published supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Range
- 1,000 nmi baseline; 1,400 nmi ER
Published aircraft range, not mission radius.
Source ↗ - Speed
- 240 KTAS maximum
Published supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Altitude
- Up to 50,000 ft
Published supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Payload
- 1,746 kg total capacity (GA-ASI figure)
Published supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Sensors
- EO/IR; Lynx radar and other optional mission sensors
Published supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Communications / navigation
- Ground-control system and satellite communications
Published supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance.
Source ↗