The MQ-9 Reaper is hardened to take off and land in remote austere environments, a significant leap forward that allows the aircraft to provide maximum capability for agile combat.

The MQ-9 Reaper, sometimes called the Predator B, is an unmanned aerial vehicle, remotely piloted by an airman on the ground. It first flew in 2001 and was incorporated into the US Air Force in 2007. Since then, more than 300 have been built.

In June 2023, the Reaper reached a new milestone in operational capabilities when it conducted its first successful landing on a dirt landing zone.

The new resilience for the aircraft opens a world of possibilities.

Previously, the MQ-9 had to take off and land via line-of-sight antennas, but now it can do so anywhere, according to the Air Force.

"This is a significant achievement for Air Force Reserve Command, AFSOC [Air Force Special Operations Command], the MQ-9 community, and the joint force as a whole," Air Force Lt. Col. Brian Flanigan said in a statement.

"This team of aircrew, maintainers, and special tactics Airmen have proven the Reaper can operate anywhere in the world and is no longer beholden to the 'leash' of perfectly paved runways or line-of-sight antennas traditionally used to take off and land the aircraft."

Agile Combat Employment

The MQ-9 Reaper's ability to operate from austere environments aligns with the Air Force's Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept.

ACE focuses on spreading out power and operations from large, centralized bases to smaller, dispersed locations, providing greater mobility and the ability to rapidly respond to a wide variety of threats.

Aircraft therefore must be capable of taking off from and landing on unimproved dirt roads to maximize operational flexibility and survivability.

"This capability will be critical in 'tomorrow's fight' and nests perfectly with the Air Force's [ACE] concept that focuses on smaller footprints, distributed operations, and increased survivability while generating combat power," Flanigan said.

In addition to its enhanced landing capabilities, the MQ-9 Reaper plays a crucial role in maintaining situational awareness in combat.

As fighter aircraft rapidly cycle through the battlespace to deliver ordnance, the MQ-9 can provide continuous surveillance and transmit tactical information to incoming fighters. Pilots therefore have up-to-date intelligence as they engage in combat.

Further augmenting its versatility, the MQ-9 Reaper has been upgraded with a universal weapon interface system that allows it to carry a range of munitions, including the AGM-114 Hellfire II, GBU-12 Paveway, GBU-38 JDAM, GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II, GBU-54 Laser JDAM and the AIM-9 Sidewinder.

These upgrades enable the MQ-9 to land at forward remote locations and rearm and refuel quickly, much like traditional fighter aircraft.