The MQ-9 Reaper -- also called the Predator B -- is the primary offensive remotely operated unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) employed by the US Air Force. It can operate both as a remotely piloted vehicle and autonomously.

Through its significant loiter time as well as wide-range sensors, multi-mode communications suite and precision weapons, the MQ-9 is uniquely suited to conduct strike, coordination and reconnaissance against high-value and dynamic targets.

Further, the MQ-9 is capable of performing critical intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance missions over both land and sea.

Weighing in at 4,900 pounds (2,223kg), the MQ-9 has a wingspan of 66 feet (20.1 meters) and length of 36 feet (11 meters).

Powered by a turboprop engine, the MQ-9 is capable of reaching a maximum service altitude of 50,000 ft (15,240 meters) and a range of 1,150 miles (1,850.7km).

It is monitored and controlled by an air crew, composed of a pilot and a sensor operator, in a Ground Control Station used to direct real-time control of UAVs.

The MQ-9 possesses unmatched operational flexibility, especially when compared to its smaller predecessor, the MQ-1.

The MQ-9 has a maximum air speed of 480 km/hour, compared to the 135 km/hour of the MQ-1.

The MQ-9 is also capable of carrying larger payloads, up to 3,750 pounds (1,700kg), as opposed to the MQ-1, which can transport a maximum payload of 450 pounds (200kg).

The MQ-9's payload capacity, when combined with the cover achieved by a high altitude, enables the UAV to employ the weapons attached to its seven hard points as needed.

These weapons include the AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground tactical missile, the AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile and the AIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missile system.

The MQ-9 also can be equipped with several types of guided bombs, including the GBU-12 Paveway II and GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II laser guided bombs, the GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and the GBU-54 Laser JDAM.

The US and UK militaries in December 2013 and January 2014 successfully tested the dual-mode Brimstone air-to-ground and ground-to-ground attack missile with the MQ-9.

The Brimstone-equipped MQ-9 made nine direct hits on both stationary and mobile targets from up to 7 miles (11.3 km) away and altitudes of up to 20,000 feet (6.1km).

The testing was a step in the continued development of the United Kingdom's Brimstones, now a major attack missile. As of July 2023, the United Kingdom has sent Brimstones to Ukraine to aid in the fight against Russia.

'Hunter-Killer'

The 27-hour-long endurance, high operational altitude and large carrying capacity of the MQ-9 make it an optimal tool for conducting hours-long, covert surveillance of targets and supporting counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency efforts.

The system is the first "Hunter-Killer" UAV used in long-endurance, high altitude surveillance by both the US Air Force and other organizations, according to manufacturer General Atomics.

MQ-9s have been purchased and employed by the US Air Force; US Department of Homeland Security; US National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and the air forces of Italy, France, Spain and the United Kingdom.

The US Air Force itself has a fleet of more than 300 MQ-9s, as of May 2021.

General Atomics announced in October that it had extended an offer to sell Ukraine two MQ-9s along with spare parts, technical support and transfer of satellite data for the token sum of $1.

"[W]e would give them two Reaper systems, bring them to Ukraine to train, but we have now sweetened that to cover spare parts, reach back technical support, and we would even include some initial transfer of data," said C. Mark Brinkley, spokesman at General Atomics.