US Air Force accelerates Reaper successor program after losses during operations against Iran
The US Air Force is accelerating a program to develop a cheaper successor to the MQ-9A Reaper drone, losses of which would be easier to replace. The decision is linked to combat losses of the aircraft during operations against Iran, Defense News reports.
The US Air Force's chief modernization official, Lieutenant General Christopher Nimey, said that the service has enough MQ-9As, but the rate at which they are being lost is causing concern. According to Defense Daily, US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink ordered the program accelerated: the target of having 20 mission-ready aircraft, planned for fiscal year 2031, could be reached about two years earlier.
Reduction of the Reaper fleet
In May, Lieutenant General David Tabor told a US Senate subcommittee that about 135 MQ-9As remained in the fleet — around 54 fewer than the Air Force's established minimum of 189 aircraft. Replenishing the fleet is difficult because General Atomics ended MQ-9A production in 2025. Tabor said the Air Force planned to acquire available MQ-9A airframes in the short term during fiscal year 2026.
Nimey also noted that budget constraints make the purchase of a large number of upgraded MQ-9B SkyGuardians unrealistic. In May, the Congressional Research Service cited reports of 24 Reapers lost since the start of operations against Iran in February. In August, The Washington Post, citing three US officials, reported at least 45 lost aircraft — about a quarter of the fleet.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
New modular platform
Nimey signed the requirements for the new drone in May. The Massed Modular Aircraft, or MMA, program calls for the creation of a modular aircraft for mass production, capable of conducting strike missions, intelligence, surveillance, electronic warfare, and communications relay — Reaper-class missions.
The competition under the program began on July 7 with the participation of the Defense Innovation Unit and the US Air Force, and applications were accepted until July 23. The requirements call for at least 2,800 pounds of payload and a one-way ferry range of 8,000 nautical miles. Nimey estimated the cost of the MMA air vehicle itself at about $10 million — half the cost of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, which he estimated at nearly $20 million. These sums do not include the full set of equipment required to carry out missions.
According to Nimey, the US Air Force will likely field at least 180 MMA drones. Initial versions are to use proven technologies to reduce costs. General Atomics is participating in the competition with its Wildfire project, but the company has not released images, specifications, or costs.
