Japan acquires two additional MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones to enhance maritime surveillance

The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) has expanded its fleet of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) by ordering two additional SeaGuardian drones from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), with delivery expected in 2025. These UAVs will be equipped with the advanced Optix+ software suite, which utilizes sensor fusion to collect and analyze data from the drones’ sensors and other sources, providing a comprehensive operational overview.

This latest acquisition builds on the JCG’s earlier agreements with GA-ASI. Since April 2022, the JCG has operated SeaGuardians under a Company-Owned, Contractor-Operated (COCO) arrangement, conducting extensive Maritime Wide Area Search (MWAS) operations over the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean from the Hachinohe Air Base. The success of these missions prompted the JCG to further enhance its capabilities, adding two more SeaGuardians in May 2023, which were notably utilized during the G7 Summit in Hiroshima and in search and rescue efforts after the Noto Peninsula Earthquake.

The new SeaGuardians will be based at Kitakyushu Airport in Fukuoka Prefecture, marking a transition from Hachinohe Air Base as the JCG’s lease concludes in March 2025. Sojitz Corporation, which is responsible for delivering and supporting these UAVs, emphasized its ongoing commitment to bolstering Japan’s maritime safety and security.

These UAVs come equipped with Raytheon’s SeaVue radar, advanced electro-optical and infrared sensors, and Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), enhancing the JCG’s maritime patrol and rescue missions. Sojitz Corporation, a longtime supplier to the JCG, will continue providing support through delivery and maintenance of these UAVs.

US Approves $738 Million Sale of MQ-9 Reapers to Italy

 

The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Italy of MQ-9 Block 5 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and related equipment, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 15 August 2024.
The proposed sale, which is estimated to be worth USD 738 million (EUR 671.5 million), has been passed to the US Congress for final approval.
Italy has requested to buy six MQ-9 Block 5 UAVs; three MQ-9 mobile ground control stations (MGCS); 12 AN/DAS-4 Multi-spectral Target Systems; nine Lynx AN/APY-8 Block 20A synthetic aperture radars with a maritime wide area surveillance (MWAS) capability; and one embedded global positioning and inertial navigation (EGI) system.
Also included in the package are Reaper/Predator engines; Ruggedized Aircraft Maintenance Test Stations (RAMTS); various avionics and communication systems; spare and repair parts; and various aspects of programme, maintenance, logistics, technical, engineering and training support.
“The proposed sale will improve Italy’s capability to meet current and future threats by expanding and improving the Italian Air Force’s MQ-9 fleet and advancing US and NATO policy goals of security and interoperability,” the DSCA stated. “Italy already has MQ-9 Block 5 aircraft with strike capabilities in its inventory and will have no difficulty absorbing these articles into its armed forces.”
Italy received six MQ-9s from 2009, but one was shot down during operations in Libya in November 2019. The remaining original five Reapers are being upgraded to the Block 5 standard.
The principal contractor for the sale will be General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc out of its facilities in San Diego, California.

Royal Netherlands Air Force Deploys MQ-9A Reaper Drones to Romania for NATO Reconnaissance missions

The Royal Netherlands Air Force  has announced the deployment of General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper drones by the Royal Netherlands Air Force to Romania. The Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) will be stationed at Campia Turzii air base in Romania, primarily for reconnaissance missions along NATO's eastern border. Three MQ-9A Reaper drones, originally located in the Caribbean, are being relocated to Romania, along with approximately 140 personnel from the Dutch Air Force. The deployment is expected to last for a period ranging from six to twelve months.

The operation involves control and command stations for the drone operators located at Leeuwarden base in the Netherlands. The Dutch Air Force emphasizes that the MQ-9A drones will exclusively perform reconnaissance missions over Central Europe.

The Netherlands possesses four MQ-9A Reaper drones, delivered in 2022. Positive assessments of their performance led to a decision to increase the fleet in August of the previous year. Additionally, in May of the same year, a decision was made to modify the drones to enable them to carry weapons. The MQ-9A is expected to achieve initial operational readiness for armed missions by 2025, with full operational capability anticipated by 2028.

Spanish Government Authorizes Weapon Integration for Air Force Drones

In a pivotal decision during the Tuesday, November 14th session, the Council of Ministers greenlit a contract for the acquisition and integration of the Hellfire air-to-surface missile and its associated equipment into the Air Force's Predator UAVs. The estimated value of this contract stands at €13,395,015. This move aims to modernize and enhance the capabilities of these UAVs while bolstering the Air Force's air-to-surface capabilities, specifically for supporting and safeguarding various Armed Forces Units and their personnel during operations.

Earlier this year, plans were unveiled to initiate the process of arming these drones in 2023, as reported in the Aeronautics and Astronautics Journal, the official publication of the Spanish Air Force. Initially configured for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, the Spanish aircraft, however, have the potential to carry missiles and conduct ground target attack operations using the system developed by the U.S.-based company, General Atomics.

For the MQ-9 Reaper to be armed, a mere software update at the Ground Control Station (GCS) - the point of ground-based aircraft control - and the installation of additional hardware on the devices, primarily pylons, bomb racks, and specific components for each weapon, are required.

Spain, which is equipped with four units of the 'Predator B Block 5' version, follows the footsteps of other nations that have integrated weaponry into their drones, including the United States, Italy, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

The first two 'Block 5' units arrived in Spain in December 2019, followed by the remaining two a year later. They operate within the 233 Squadron of Wing 23 and frequently conduct missions from the Talavera la Real Air Base, with occasional deployments to the military aerodrome in Lanzarote for surveillance over the Canary Islands region.

US MQ-9 Drones Conduct Surveillance Missions Over Gaza During Israel-Hamas Conflict

The U.S. has been conducting surveillance missions over Gaza using MQ-9 drones in an effort to gather information about hostages held by Hamas and other militants. These missions began after Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in significant casualties. Approximately 240 hostages, including some American citizens, were taken by Hamas. The drones are not armed with weapons and are focused solely on surveillance.

The Pentagon, on November 3, acknowledged these flights and stated that they are also providing advice and assistance to support Israeli efforts in hostage recovery. Additionally, other unarmed U.S. military assets, such as RC-135 Rivet Joint signals intelligence aircraft, P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol and surveillance aircraft, and various ISR platforms, have been operating in the Middle East over the past year.

A U.S. Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft was observed flying off the coast of Israel and Gaza recently, as per publicly available transponder data. Furthermore, assets like the E-2D Hawkeye and E/A-18 Growler aircraft are currently stationed on the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

A senior U.S. defense official stated on October 30 that their presence in the region is aimed at supporting any necessary requests to ensure the safety of U.S. forces, personnel, and interests across the region. In response to Hamas' attack, the British government also announced the deployment of P-8s as part of a larger force meant to provide practical support to Israel and its partners in the region.

US to supply MQ-9 Reapers UAVs to Ukraine

General Atomics has confirmed to supply Ukraine with the MQ-9 series of medium-altitude (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) capable of carrying Hellfire missiles inside a broader assistance package for Eastern Europe.   

The delivery has not yet taken place, and early reports of Reapers in Ukraine are premature. Neither the US government nor the business has given a timeline for the delivery of the drones to Kyiv. 

The US government has been considering a request for heavily armed drones from Ukraine since at least April. US plans to send the MQ-1C Gray Eagle drone, developed by General Atomics, to Ukraine.

The Gray Eagle isn’t strictly a member of the MQ-9 family. Nevertheless, supplying these drones is mainly hampered by concerns about the technology’s confidentiality and survival in contested airspace.

eurasiantimes 

Poland leases MQ-9A Reaper UAS as interim unmanned UAV Capability Gap

Poland is to lease a MQ-9 Reaper as an interim solution until it can field its own national medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aircraft system (UAS) capability.

Mariusz Błaszczak, the country's deputy prime minister and defence minister, made the disclosure on 21 October, announcing on his official Twitter account that the Reaper is being leased as “a bridging solution” for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).

It hasn't been disclosed how many Reaper systems or air vehicles Poland is leasing, or for how long.

Poland is looking to boost its unmanned aircraft capabilities, with currently only the tactical Neox system in service with the air force. Having recently signed for 24 Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs)from Turkey, with deliveries scheduled to begin later in 2022.

janes 

Poland seeks rapid Reaper drone buy

Amid increasing concern over Russia’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine, Poland has decided to buy an undisclosed number of MQ-9 Reaper drones from the United States under a special, accelerated procedure. 

With the planned procurement, the Polish Armed Forces would become the first military on NATO’s eastern flank to purchase the medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV. 

The latest development marks another purchase of combat UAVs for the Polish military. Last May, Warsaw bought 24 Bayraktar TB2 drones from Turkey. The contract covers four sets of UAVs equipped with anti-tank missiles. Deliveries are scheduled for the years 2022 to 2024. 

Warsaw is also planning to acquire new mid-range UAVs under the Gryf (Griffin) program, and further MALE drones under the Zefir (Zephyr) program. 

defensenews

 

UK signs £65m contract for first three Protectors

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has ordered its first three of a planned 16 Protector RG1 unmanned air vehicles from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, with the £65 million ($82 million) contract announced on 15 July.
Also including three ground control stations and support equipment, the launch production order follows what the MoD describes as a “successful development phase” activity performed by General Atomics in the USA.
With its first production order now in place, the MoD says operations with the Protector fleet will start by mid-2024. The type will replace the Royal Air Force’s (RAF’s) current General Atomics Reapers.
flightglobal

PATCHES ROYAL AIR FORCE EJERCITO DEL AIRE USAF ARMADA ESPAÑOLA

Royal Air Force MQ-9 REAPER 39 SQN PATCH
USAF SOUTH DAKOTA AIR NATIONAL GUARD
Ejérrito del Aire Eurofighter Typhoon F-18 HORNET 12 WING
Armada Española Infanteria de Marina

Watch

USAFE declares Polish Reaper detachment to be fully operational

The USAF in Europe (USAFE) has declared its Polish-based detachment of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to be fully operational.
The announcement on 7 March came some 10 months after the USAFE began operating the medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV out of Miroslawiec Air Base in northwestern Poland "as a visible expression of US efforts to enhance regional stability".
As noted by the USAFE, the declaration of full-operating capability (FOC) was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the 52nd Expeditionary Operations Group (EOG) Detachment 2 at Miroslawiec (the 52nd EOG comes under the auspices of the 52nd Fighter Wing located at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany).
Gareth Jennings-janes

The Netherlands plan to sign Reaper drone deal this week

The Netherlands plans to sign an agreement to buy four unmanned Reaper drones this week.
A Letter of Agreement for the surveillance drones could have been signed at the Farnborough International Airshow.
The deal for the MQ-9 Reaper drones, made by California-based General Atomics, was first approved by the U.S. State Department back in 2015.
The Dutch government said the intent to purchase was announced in 2016 as part of the Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle program. The deal was opposed by some Dutch lawmakers on July 5.
reuters

US Air Force Reapers are now flying ISR missions from Poland

The U.S. Air Force’s MQ-9 Reaper drone quietly started flights from Miroslawiec Air Base, Poland, in May, but the service isn’t saying exactly why.
In response to a query, U.S. Air Forces in Europe would only say that the Reapers will be unarmed and only used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for its “strategic location in Eastern Europe.”
airforcetimes

US drones being based in Greece for the first time

The U.S. Air Force has begun using MQ-9 Reaper drones out of Larisa Air Force Base, located halfway down Greece’s eastern side, near the Aegean Sea.the aircraft are being temporarily stationed at Larisa while their usual base in Africa undergoes repairs.
The drones are being stationed at Larisa under the aegis of an existing joint training order between the two nations.
defensenews

Armed US Drones to Start Flying Over Niger

The United States and Niger have reached an agreement permitting armed American military drones for use against jihadist terror groups in the African nation, a U.S. official told VOA.
The agreement, finalized this week, is a major expansion of U.S. military’s efforts to counter terrorism in Africa. It is unclear whether the drones will be used to carry out targeted strikes or solely as a defensive measure.
Until now, the U.S. has only been conducting airstrikes against terrorists on the continent operating inside Libya and Somalia. Officials say that arming drones based in Niger would expand the military’s ability to go after extremists in West Africa, where Nigeria-based Boko Haram, Algeria-based al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb and Islamic State fighters operate.
Pentagon spokeswoman Army Major Audricia Harris would not comment on the new permissions.
voanews

Reaper operations ramp up in France

A French MQ-9 has taken part in 'Serpentex 2017': a JTAC exercise hosted by France in Corsica
The MQ-9's participation marks the French Reaper fleet's first real domestically based operation
The sole French General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9 Reaper based in France has taken part in its first international close air support exercise, ‘Serpentex 2017’, above Corsica in the last month.
France’s MQ-9s have operated out of Niamey, Niger, for Operation ‘Barkhane’ since 2014, but the first domestically based French MQ-9 only began flying out of Air Force Base 709, its home base in Cognac, southwestern France, on 6 July.
The Reaper flying out of Cognac is controlled by a French landing and recovery element (LRE), although, as in Niamey, GA-ASI provides the ground maintenance element.
Exercise ‘Serpentex’, which took place from 11-29 September this year, trains joint terminal attack controllers (JTACs) from several NATO countries to conduct close air support missions, with the French Reaper used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) duties and to lase targets on the exercise’s range. The Reapers flown during Operation ‘Barkhane’ have been used to ‘buddy-lase’ precision-guided bombs and Hellfire missiles launched from Mirage strike aircraft and Tiger HAD helicopters respectively.
An average of one Reaper mission per day is launched from Cognac for Exercise ‘Serpentex’. The unmanned aerial vehicle’s (UAV’s) transit from Cognac to Corsica involves a three-hour flight at an average speed of 180–210 kt along a specific military air corridor, which is activated specifically for the duration of the flight.
janes

Block 5 MQ-9 debuts in combat

The latest version of the MQ-9 Reaper, the Block 5 variant, flew its first successful combat mission June 23, 2017, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
The aircrew flew a sortie of more than 16 hours with a full payload of weapons including GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. During the mission, the crew employed one GBU-38 and two Hellfires while providing hours of armed reconnaissance for supported ground forces
af.mil

General Atomics contracted for MQ-9 sale to Spain

General Atomics has received a $56 million contract action order to provide MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft for the government of Spain.
The order is an adjustment to an existing basic ordering agreement between the United States and Spain. General Atomics will be tasked with providing the Reaper and its associated equipment.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the work will be performed at Poway, Calif., and is expected to be complete by Jan. 31, 2019. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio is listed as the contracting activity.
The MQ-9 Reaper is a turboprop-powered unmanned aircraft system designed for intelligence gathering and targeted strike missions, and features a flight endurance of over 27 hours. The aircraft can operate at altitudes of 50,000 feet, and can carry a 3,000-pound payload.
As a follow-up to the company's MQ-1 Predator, the Reaper is twice as fast as its predecessor, and can carry a 500 percent larger payload.
upi

British forces have continued to conduct air operations in the fight against Daesh

Daesh terrorists have suffered further losses, as Royal Air Force aircraft have continued operations over Syria and Iraq.
RAF Tornado GR4s, Typhoon FGR4s and Reaper remotely piloted aircraft have flown daily armed reconnaissance missions over both Syria and Iraq, collecting valuable intelligence on terrorist activity. In the course of these patrols, a number of targets have been successfully attacked by our aircraft.
gov.uk

Spain reveals plans for armed MQ-9

Spain has confirmed that it will eventually try to weaponise its future fleet of MQ-9 Reaper unmanned air vehicles, although the immediate priority is to bring the surveillance-only variant into operation.
Madrid's programme to acquire a class III UAV for its air force began in September last year, with the Reaper eventually selected in mid-2015 over the competing Israel Aerospace Industries Heron TP.
“The LOA [letter of agreement] from the US government is about to be signed, and this could be done before the end of the year,” Col Enrique Martinez Vallas, former chief of acquisitions programmes for the Spanish Air Staff.
Vallas says there are no technical obstacles to adding offensive capability to the Reaper as it already has hardpoints for the carriage of weapons, but the US government would have to authorise any request for weaponisation.
That has become enabled following the easing of export restrictions in February, with Italy in November becoming the first nation - outside of the UK - to receive permission to arm its MQ-9 fleet.
Spain could follow suit, but Vallas notes that it took some ten years for Italy to be permitted to arm its Reapers. Madrid, he says, is more concerned with completing the basic acquisition for now.
Vallas says that although both the Heron TP and the Reaper met the air force's requirements, commonality with NATO allies was a key reason for the selection of the US-built platform.
Four aircraft and two ground control stations are due to be delivered under the proposed deal, and training will begin in 2016.
The first two aircraft plus one ground control station (GCS) will be delivered in 2017. Initial operational capability will be achieved with the second delivery, which is expected in 2018, while full operational capability and the final aircraft are expected in 2020.
The Spanish air force is also in the process of acquiring an upgraded variant of the Airbus Defence & Space Atlante UAV that will be able to carry a multi-sensor and weapons payload.
The contract may be signed this year or soon after the next cabinet is formed following a general election on 20 December. “It has more capabilities with automatic take-off and landing, increased endurance and payload,” Vallas says.
flightglobal