Australia Selects Reaper for Armed RPAS Requirement | Aviation International News

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Australia Selects Reaper for Armed RPAS Requirement

Following a competition with the IAI Heron TP, GA-ASI's Reaper has been chosen by Australia to answer its armed RPAS needs.

Australian personnel have been operating with U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reapers to maintain RPAS competence following the end of Heron operations, and now to prepare for forthcoming Reaper deliveries. (Photo: U.S. Air Force)

By David Donald • Contributor - UK

November 17, 2018

On November 16 the Australian ministers for Defence, Christopher Pyne, and Defence Industry, Steven Ciobo, jointly announced the selection of the General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) MQ-9 Reaper over the IAI Heron TP to answer the Royal Australian Air Force’s requirement for an armed RPAS (remotely piloted aircraft system), as defined by Project Air 7003 in Australia’s 2016 Defence White Paper. No further details have been released as negotiations regarding pricing and availability are ongoing, although Australian media outlets suggest that the contract could cover a significant number of air vehicles that range from eight to as many as 18.

“These new aircraft will provide enhanced firepower and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support to a range of missions,” said Pyne, adding, “The aircraft will be operated under the same laws of armed conflict, international human rights law, and rules of engagement as manned aircraft.”

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