Air Force's MQ-9 Reaper replacement requirements now include air-to-air combat capability
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Air Force has released its latest request for information as it sets out more requirements for the replacement for its MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle, a program now dubbed MQ-Next. The new document indicates that the service is looking at a future drone that will feature defensive counter-air capabilities to protect high-value manned aircraft, such as tankers, as well as potentially fly red air aggressor missions, Thomas Newdick writes for The Drive. Continue reading original article.
The Intelligent Aerospace take:
March 11, 2021 - The Air Force Materiel Command, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) in support of the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance/Special Operations Forces (ISR/SOF) Directorate is seeking information to inform the establishment of a new capability development pipeline for integration on current and Next-Generation (Next-Gen) Multi-Role Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Family of Systems (FoS) with reduced operating costs and greater persistence, survivability, and range. These Next-Gen Multi-Role UAS FoS may be comprised of attritable, expendable, survivable and reusable attributes, which can attain desired effects in various operating environments.
For more information, please contact Erin VanCise at [email protected].
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Jamie Whitney, Associate Editor
Intelligent Aerospace