08 jul 2026
Pentagon to explore cheaper replacements for the MQ-9 Reaper
The Pentagon is exploring cheap, long-range drone options that may eventually replace the MQ-9 Reaper . The search comes after dozens of MQ-9s were swatted out of the sky during the Iran war, according to a May 13 Congressional Research Service report . With the Air Force currently possessing about 135 Reapers which cost approximately $30 million apiece such a loss rate is not sustainable, especially against a force like Iran, whose air defenses are less sophisticated than those of China or Russia.
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The Pentagon is exploring cheap, long-range drone options that may eventually replace the MQ-9 Reaper . The search comes after dozens of MQ-9s were swatted out of the sky during the Iran war, according to a May 13 Congressional Research Service report . With the Air Force currently possessing about 135 Reapers which cost approximately $30 million apiece such a loss rate is not sustainable, especially against a force like Iran, whose air defenses are less sophisticated than those of China or Russia.
military timesThe Pentagon is exploring cheap, long-range drone options that may eventually replace the MQ-9 Reaper . The search comes after dozens of MQ-9s were swatted out of the sky during the Iran war, according to a May 13 Congressional Research Service report . With the Air Force currently possessing about 135 Reapers which cost approximately $30 million apiece such a loss rate is not sustainable, especially against a force like Iran, whose air defenses are less sophisticated than those of China or Russia.
defense newscoverage · 3 outlets
- 16:07military times
Pentagon to explore cheaper replacements for the MQ-9 Reaper
- 16:07defense news
Pentagon to explore cheaper replacements for the MQ-9 Reaper
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