MQ-9 Reaper Makes Final RAF Operational Flight
After 18 years of service the MQ-9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Air System has made its final RAF operational flight. The MQ-9A had been in service since 2007, first being operated by No.39 Squadron RAF from Creech Airbase in Nevada before moving to RAF Waddington. The MQ-9 Reaper being designed by U.S military contractor General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI)
Its first active service operational missions came on the 9 November 2007 with Reaper’s undertaking missions in Afghanistan. The RAF press release describes the aircraft’s service history further:
“(During) Operation Shader – countering Daesh in Iraq and Syria – ever since. Reaper aircraft have flown in excess of 173,000 flying hours – almost 20 years – equivalent to travelling to the moon and back more than 50 times.”
Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshall Harv Smyth also added his sentiment on the service life of the MQ-9 Reaper:
“Over the last 18-years, the Reaper Remotely Piloted Air System has been the backbone of RAF operations in the Middle East. Its capabilities have been critical in supporting UK and Coalition forces, and it has made a significant contribution to the RAF’s ability to be Agile, Integrated and Ready to fly and fight. Amassing an astonishing number of operational flying hours, I am incredibly proud of all of the RAF personnel that have been involved in its highly skilled operation over so many years.”
The Reaper is set to be replaced by the MQ-9B Protector remotely piloted aircraft, designated the Protector RG Mk1 by the RAF. Its role is quoted by the RAF as:
“Protector will be the first certified, remotely piloted air system and will be tactically interoperable with NATO and US assets. Based on the General Atomics – Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9B SkyGuardian.”