MQ-9 Reaper Drone Specifications, Cost, Weapons & Global Operators

The MQ-9 Reaper’s with its powerful turboprop engine, flies at high altitudes up to 50,000 feet with an endurance of over 27 hours. as American’s named it as is a “hunter-killer” UAV that can carry a 3,850-pound payload. The payload of MQ-9 Reaper includes precision weapons like Hellfire missiles and laser-guided bombs.

The MQ-9 Reaper Drone Specifications are evolved from the legendary Predator, it combines long endurance surveillance with precision strike capability in a single platform.

What makes it revolutionary is simple:

• Persistent eyes on target for hours at a time.
• Pinpoint strike capability at a commander’s fingertips.
• Zero risk to pilots, since it’s remotely operated.

From tracking terrorists in deserts to scanning vast oceans, the Reaper adapts to almost any mission. That’s why it has become indispensable to modern militaries MQ-9 Reaper drone specifications are explained in following sections.

MQ-9 Reaper Model

The Reaper is upgrade to the Predator, after it’s a complete redesign the UAV has got many upgradation some of key features of MQ-9 Reaper Drone Specifications .  as mentioned below, also Now a days it is top in its category.

Key Features:

• Built to Last: Lightweight composite airframe designed for extreme conditions.
• Engine Power: 900 hp Honeywell turboprop for high-altitude and heavy payloads.
• Failsafe Systems: Triple-redundant flight controls to keep it airborne even in emergencies.
• Variants: Block 1, Block 5, and Extended Range (ER) versions tailored for mission needs.

At its core sits the Multi-Spectral Targeting System (MTS), which combines:

• Infrared sensors
• HD video cameras
• Laser designators
• Rangefinders

This system essentially gives the Reaper superhuman vision, capable of identifying and tracking targets from miles away.

Modularity = Versatility

• Maritime patrol → Add synthetic aperture radar.
• Disaster relief → Install communication relays.
• Combat ops → Load advanced targeting pods and weapons.

This flexibility allows one Reaper to replace multiple specialized aircraft—saving both money and manpower.

MQ-9 Reaper Price

Buying a Reaper isn’t just about getting an aircraft it’s about acquiring a full warfare system with full MQ-9 Reaper Drone Specifications the cost is not the big matter .

Cost Breakdown:

• Per Aircraft: $30–33 million each (cheaper than many fighter jets).
• Combat Setup (4 aircraft + ground stations): $120.8 million.
• Basic Package (4 aircraft + essential sensors): $56.5 million.
• India Deal: $3.5 billion for 31 MQ-9Bs, showing current market value.

Despite high upfront costs, its operating cost is just $3,624 per flight hour compared to:

• A-10: $17,780/hr
• F-16: $20,809/hr

For 27-hour missions, this efficiency makes the Reaper a game-changer.

MQ-9 Reaper in India

India’s MQ-9B deal is one of the largest drone purchases in history—31 drones worth $3.5 billion.

Breakdown by Service:

• 15 SeaGuardian for the Navy (maritime patrol).
• 8 SkyGuardian each for the Army & Air Force (border surveillance & strike).

Why it matters:

• Local Manufacturing: 21 assembled in India, boosting domestic aerospace industry.
• Maintenance Hubs: Facilities in India to ensure long-term self-reliance.
• Strategic Coverage:
  • Northern borders → Persistent watch over China.
  • Indian Ocean → 35-hour surveillance of sea lanes.

This deal is as much about technology transfer as it is about hardware. Indian defense firms like HAL and BEL gain critical expertise, laying the foundation for future indigenous drone programs.

MQ-9 Reaper Size

Bigger size = more capability, simple formula .

Dimensions:

• Length: 11 m (36 ft)
• Wingspan: 20.1 m (66 ft)
• Height: 3.8 m (12.5 ft)
• Payload: 1,700 kg (3,750 lbs) across 7 hardpoints

Advantages:

• 500% more payload than Predator.
• Can fly at 50,000 ft while fully loaded.
• Carries multiple weapons and sensors simultaneously.

This size makes it not just a surveillance drone but a true multi-role combat platform.

MQ-9 Reaper Weapons

The Reaper’s arsenal is all about precision and flexibility the best part of MQ-9 Reaper Drone Specifications are its weapon package, I have listed all below.

Weapons Loadout:

• AGM-114 Hellfire Missiles: Up to 8, perfect for vehicles or high-value targets.
• GBU-12 Paveway II (500 lb): Laser-guided bombs for hardened targets.
• GBU-38 JDAM: GPS-guided, all-weather precision bombs.
• GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II: Dual GPS + laser guidance.

Special Capability:

• R9X “Ninja Missile” (blades, no explosives) → Kills target with minimal collateral damage.

With 7 external stations, commanders can mix weapons and sensors to fit mission requirements.

MQ-9 Reaper vs Predator

If you compare MQ-9 Reaper Drone Specifications with Predator. MQ-9 is achieves mission in more comprehensive way, The leap from Predator to Reaper is enormous. Here I have just mentioned few important parameters.

Side-by-Side:

• Engine Power: 900 hp vs Predator’s 115 hp.
• Speed: 482 km/h vs 217 km/h.
• Altitude: 15,240 m vs 7,620 m.
• Payload: 1,700 kg vs 204 kg.

Predator proved drones could fight. Reaper perfected the concept by carrying heavy payloads, flying longer, and striking harder—at a lower cost per unit.

That’s why the US retired all Predators in 2018 and went all-in on the Reaper.

How Many MQ-9 Reapers Are There?

The Reaper has become a global fleet:

• US Air Force: 300+ aircraft, maintaining ~60 continuous global patrols.
• US Marine Corps: 18 planned by 2025 for expeditionary missions.
• International Operators: UK, Italy, France, Spain, Netherlands, India, and more.
• Total Production: 400+ delivered, approaching 500 globally.

The Reaper community continues to expand, with upgrades ensuring relevance until at least 2035.

MQ-9 Reaper Cost per Hour

Here’s why planners love the Reaper—it’s affordable to operate:

• Direct Cost: $3,624 per hour.
• Comparisons:
  • A-10C: $17,780/hr
  • F-16C: $20,809/hr
• Annual Average: ~$5.1M per aircraft due to high usage.
• Full Patrol (4 aircraft): ~$20.4M annually including ground support.

Despite higher yearly use, the Reaper delivers persistent surveillance and strike for a fraction of manned aircraft costs.

✅ In short: The MQ-9 Reaper has transformed modern warfare. It’s reliable, cost-effective, and versatile—capable of both watching for days and striking in seconds.

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