Reaper Moniker Given To MQ-9 Unmanned
Aerial Vehicle
The MQ-9 Reaper (pictured) is the Air Force's first
hunter-killer unmanned aeriel vehicle.
by Staff Writers
http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Reaper_Moniker_Given_To_MQ_9_Unmanned_Aerial_Vehicle_999.html
The Air Force Chief of Staff announced "Reaper"
has been chosen as the name for the MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle. The Air Force
is the Department of Defense's executive agent for designating and naming
military aerospace vehicles. In the case of the Reaper, Gen. T. Michael Moseley
made the final decision after an extensive nomination and review process,
coordinated with the other services.
"The name Reaper is one of the suggestions that came
from our airmen in the field. It's fitting as it captures the lethal nature of
this new weapon system," Moseley said.
The MQ-9 Reaper is the Air Force's first hunter-killer
unmanned aeriel vehicle. It's larger and more powerful than the MQ-1 Predator
and is designed to go after time-sensitive targets with persistence and
precision, and destroy or disable those targets with 500-lb. bombs and Hellfire
Missiles.
"The Reaper represents a significant evolution in UAV
technology and employment," he said. "We've moved from using UAVs
primarily in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance roles before
Operation Iraqi Freeom, to a true hunter-killer role with the Reaper."
Moseley stressed that the key advantage is not keeping
manned aircraft and pilots out of harm's way, but the persistence unmanned
aerial vehicles can inherently provide. The Reaper can stay airborne for up to
14 hours fully loaded.
A 900 hp turbo-prop engine, compared to the 119 hp Predator
engine, powers the aircraft. It has a 64-foot wingspan and carries more than 15
times the ordnance of the Predator, flying almost three times the Predator's
cruise speed.
The Air Force has seven MQ-9 Reapers in its inventory, with a
full-rate production decision expected in 2009.
The Air Force is the global leader in UAV innovation,
Moseley said.