Beth Stevenson

A weapons integration contract has been awarded to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) for the French air force’s fleet of MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles, which will lead to the nation joining an exclusive number of users that operate an armed variant of the type. To date, only the U.S. Air Force and the UK Royal Air Force operate weaponized versions of the Reaper, although an appetite from the U.S. government to open this remit to other allied nations that operate surveillance-only versions has led to a number of authorizations being made for weapons integration.

 


According to a Foreign Military Sales contract announcement on March 22, the U.S. government awarded $8.9 million to GA-ASI on behalf of France to carry out weapons integration for the MQ-9 fleet, which includes the production and integration of weapons kits on the French air force’s Block 1 Reapers. This will be carried out at GA-ASI’s Poway, California facility, and will be complete by the end of September 2020, with $4.4 million having been allocated at the point of award.

 


At an official level, France declared its intent to arm the UAVs in 2017, although nothing had been contracted with the U.S. government until now. The weapons fit was not disclosed, but given that it is being conducted through FMS directly with the OEM, it is likely—initially at least—to be the same configuration as the USAF’s and RAF’s in-service fleets, namely the AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missile and the Paveway laser-guided bomb.

 


However, given the strength of the French defense industry and the government’s typical support of its own indigenous industrial capabilities, integration of French/European weapons at a later point seems likely. The prevalence of French forces in overseas operations on the African continent does not appear to be waning, and will inevitably drive demand for the armed variant for years to come.

 


The U.S. government had held a relatively conservative stance on the export of armed variants of Reaper until recently, permitting export only to the UK. However, it is likely to export an armed version of the developmental MQ-9B SkyGuardian derivative of Reaper to <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2018-11-17/australia-selects-reaper-armed-rpas-requirement">Australia</a> and <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2018-11-01/uavs-dutch-navy-belgium-likely-acquire-skyguardian">Belgium</a>, while weapons integration work for the UK’s replacement of its MQ-9 fleet with the new version was contracted in January 2019. The sale of the MQ-9B to Belgium, initially in unweaponized form, was approved by the U.S. Department of State on March 25. Italy, meanwhile, was authorized by the U.S. State Department in 2015 to weaponize its MQ-9 fleet, although nothing has transpired to date, while Spain has also revealed an intent to eventually arm its Reaper fleet.

 


Elsewhere, GA-ASI was awarded an FMS contract on March 21 for four MQ-9 Block 5 Reaper variants for the Royal Netherlands Air Force under a $123.3 million deal, with $38.9 million allocated at the point of contract. This follows the July 2018 government-to-government letter-of-acceptance deal signed between the U.S. and Dutch governments for the acquisition, which came after a 2015 State Department authorization.

 


Work will again be conducted at Poway&nbsp;and is expected to complete by the end of 2020. The Netherlands is acquiring an ISR-only version of the Reaper&nbsp;and has no immediate requirement to arm its variants, according to details revealed by the government.

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

France Arms Its Reapers: Netherlands Signs for Four

GA-ASI's MQ-9 and its derivatives have proved a hit in Europe, where France is now adding weapons capability and where the Netherlands has ordered the type

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Hanneke Weitering

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Remotely piloted R44 helicopter landed on an offshore-style deck at a Louisiana airport

Robinson Unmanned R44 Airtruck Flies Offshore Cargo Demos

Charlotte Bailey

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

MQ-9B-mounted radar could complement piloted GlobalEye assets

Saab Fields Interest In LoyalEye Surveillance System

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Hybrid-electric Chaparral drone makes first uncrewed eIPP flights

Elroy Air, Bristow Fly Autonomous Freighter in Louisiana

David Donald

At air force show, the company displayed mock-up of autonomous collaborative platform 

Saab Details Plans For Future Fighter Tech Demonstrators

Charles Alcock

The company assembled the first example in around nine months 

GKN Unveils Swedish Military UAV Technology Demonstrator

Operational trials were held in Michigan during July 

Regent Demonstrates Seaglider Drone in U.S. Navy Exercise

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

More In Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Robinson Unmanned R44 Airtruck Flies Offshore Cargo Demos

Remotely piloted R44 helicopter landed on an offshore-style deck at a Louisiana airport

Saab Fields Interest In LoyalEye Surveillance System

MQ-9B-mounted radar could complement piloted GlobalEye assets

Elroy Air, Bristow Fly Autonomous Freighter in Louisiana

Hybrid-electric Chaparral drone makes first uncrewed eIPP flights

Saab Details Plans For Future Fighter Tech Demonstrators

At air force show, the company displayed mock-up of autonomous collaborative platform

GKN Unveils Swedish Military UAV Technology Demonstrator

The company assembled the first example in around nine months

Regent Demonstrates Seaglider Drone in U.S. Navy Exercise

Operational trials were held in Michigan during July

Elroy Air Wins $46 Million Army Contract for Chaparral

Contract covers jam-resistant navigation and hardened communications links

Robinson Unmanned Advances Through U.S. Drone Program

Sovereign manufacturing expertise essential to Pentagon initiative

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN