Reaper is a brand name for a type of unmanned aircraft system (UAS) developed by the American company General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI).
The Reaper is a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft system, it is also known as MQ-9 Reaper. It is primarily used by the United States Air Force (USAF) and other military organizations for reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision strike missions.
The Reaper has a wingspan of 66 feet (20m) and it can fly at an altitude of up to 50,000 feet (15,000m) for a period of over 27 hours. It is equipped with a variety of sensors and weapons, including high-definition cameras, radar, and laser designators, as well as AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles and GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs.
Examples of Reaper missions include:
- The Reaper has been used in military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen, where it has been used for reconnaissance, surveillance, and targeted killings.
- The Reaper is also used by other countries for reconnaissance and surveillance missions, such as the United Kingdom and Italy.
- The Reaper is used for border security and drug interdiction by the US Customs and Border Protection.
- The Reaper is also used for civilian applications such as monitoring wildfires, search and rescue, and wildlife management.
The Reaper is known for its long endurance, high altitude, and heavy payload capabilities, which make it suitable for various military and civilian applications.