Italy has announced that it has ordered 2 MQ-9A Block 5 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft to expand its reconnaissance and surveillance fleet…
Deliveries of the system, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, are planned to take place by the end of 2027.
The procurement will be carried out through the U.S. Air Force’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.
The MQ-9A Block 5 can remain airborne for up to 26 hours and operate at altitudes of up to 45,000 feet, or approximately 13,716 metres.
The platform has a maximum payload capacity of 2,087 kilograms, including 1,701 kilograms of external stores.
The MQ-9A, with a 2,087-kilogram payload capacity, can detect and track land and maritime assets using electro-optical sensors, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and moving target indication systems…