In order to meet the objectives of the 2014-2019 Military Planning Act, the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has ordered a fourth MQ-9 Reaper UAS.

Built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, the medium altitude, long-endurance system is expected to be delivered to the French Ministry of Defence by 2019.

“MALE drones are essential tools in modern conflict zones, offering a major capability in terms of knowledge and anticipation,” DGA says, via Defense News.

“They are capable of missions of intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance and target designation while operating, thanks to their endurance, over large areas, long distance and long periods.”

So far, two Reaper UAS have been delivered to France, with a third expected to soon be delivered to the Cognac air base. Upon its arrival, the air force and DGA will test the system to validate its air-transportability onboard French transport aircraft, as well as its technical conditions while operating in the electromagnetic environment of the air base.

Some of the features of the Reaper UAS include an endurance of more than 27 hours, operational heights of up to 50,000 feet, and the ability to carry a variety of mission payloads including electro-optical/infrared, multi-mode maritime surveillance radar and a variety of weapons packages.

The third Reaper UAS will be used to train members of the 1/33 Belfort squadron.

<< Back to the News