Since Operation Epic Fury start against iran early this year, U.S. lost 45 MQ-9 Reaper strike-reconnaissance drones of approximately 180 in service. Meaning this is 25% of all drones of this type.
This was genuinely serious blow for U.S., since they took MQ-9A Reaper out of production just last year. Newer MQ-9B Reapers not only cost even more but are also produced in small quantities, insufficient for quickly restoring lost drone fleet. Breaking Defense writes about this.
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Therefore in U.S. within MMA (Mass Modular Aircraft) program they seek new drones that could replace MQ-9A Reaper. One main program requirement is future drone must cost less than $10 million.
For comparison, MQ-9A Reaper cost approximately $40-50 million per unit. This cost can also be compared with newest loyal wingman drones for fighters being developed under CCA (Collaborative Combat Aircraft) program, which should cost approximately $20 million.
At same time, future MMA drone must carry considerable weapons load and have maximum one-way flight range of 8,000 nautical miles (14,816 kilometers). However despite such large figure, real combat radius will be only 4,000 nautical miles (7,408 km).
If weapons are aboard, combat radius will decrease even further. Although even so, this is still very large range. Like its predecessor MQ-9A Reaper, it will be equipped with turboprop engine, accordingly providing not high flight speed.
Thus in U.S. they want to obtain unmanned, slow and long-range ammunition truck, role previously performed by MQ-9A Reaper. At same time, it should cost approximately 5 times less than its predecessor, which under similarly large combat losses will not hit wallet as hard and will enable mass production.
Currently in U.S. they already plan to order at minimum 180 new drones created under MMA program. At same time, first 20 ready drones they want to receive by fiscal year 2031, so at minimum through end of this decade Americans will have to fly on such expensive platforms.
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