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MQ-9 Reaper
Photo: Lt. Col. Leslie Pratt · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
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MQ-9Reaper

Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones · United States · 2007
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MQ-9Reaper

MQ-9 Reaper
MQ-9 Reaper Photo: Lt. Col. Leslie Pratt · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sensor Payload
85
Endurance
90
Operating Altitude
80
Range
85
Data-Link
75
Stealth / Survivability
50
Image Quality
80
Autonomy
70
Technology
85
Cost-Effectiveness
75
Origin United States
CategoryReconnaissance / Surveillance Drones
EraPost-Cold War
In service2007
Operators18 countries
Quantity575
Data Quality86%
79
Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones MASS Rating
5/69
Post-Cold War
15/288
All-Time
Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones · 10 axes scored
Sensor Payload
85
Endurance
90
Operating Altitude
80
Range
85
Data-Link
75
Stealth / Survivability
50
Image Quality
80
Autonomy
70
Technology
85
Cost-Effectiveness
75
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category.
01 / Overview
MQ-9 Reaper
Production
2007–
Quantity
575
Unit Price (current)
$16.0M
Original Price
$16.0M (2026)
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES · POST-COLD WAR
5
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
80
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
$16.0M
Original: $16.0M (2026)
Inflation: +%0
79
reconnaissance / surveillance drones category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • UAV ClassMedium-altitude long-endurance UAV
  • Category (MALE/HALE/Tactical/Micro)Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones
  • First Flight2001
  • Service Entry Year2007
  • Primary Rolehunter-killer
  • In ServiceYes
◈Airframe6MOD.6
  • Length11 m
  • Wingspan20 m
  • Height3.81 m
  • Empty Weight2,223 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight4,760 kg
  • Low ObservableNo
▣Powerplant5MOD.5
  • Engine TypeHoneywell TPE331-10
  • Number of Engines1
  • Engine Power671 kW
  • Electric PropulsionNo
  • Propeller / Configurationpusher
◇Performance7MOD.7
  • Top Speed482 km/h
  • Cruise Speed313 km/h
  • Service Ceiling15,420 m
  • Range1,852 km
  • Endurance27
  • Combat / Operating Radius740 km
  • Maximum Payload1,700 kg
◆Payload & Sensors6MOD.6
▤Armament5MOD.5
⬢Control & Autonomy5MOD.5
▲Production4MOD.4
  • Total Built575
  • Unit Cost16,000,000 USD
  • Operators12
  • Variants2
◎Service History4MOD.4
  • Retirement Year2035
  • Production Start2001
  • Production End2026
  • Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1945First deployment: Cold War
  2. 2007Production started
19
years in service
575
units produced
18
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / Operators
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE9terms
Air-to-Ground Missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to attack ground targets. They enable aircraft to engage and destroy enemy ground positions, vehicles, and installations.
Operational state of a drone where weapons systems are enabled and ready for engagement.
Automatic Takeoff/Landing is a UAV capability that enables a drone to initiate and complete takeoff and landing sequences autonomously using onboard sensors and control software.
A capability enabling drones to relay communication signals between units, extending operational range and maintaining network connectivity in combat environments.
Electro-optical/infrared sensor combining daylight cameras and thermal imagers for real-time target detection, tracking, and identification in military drones.
A device that emits a laser beam to mark targets for precision-guided munitions, enabling accurate strikes by designating coordinates for laser-homing weapons.
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) radar are airborne radar systems used to detect, track, and image moving or stationary targets on the ground, regardless of weather or lighting conditions.
A communication link between a drone and its control station via satellite relay, enabling beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) operations.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones entry →