Air Force accelerates MQ-9A Reaper successor timeline
By The BriefBrief
The U.S. Air Force is speeding up work on a cheaper, more expendable successor to the MQ-9A Reaper after combat losses. Lt. Gen. Christopher Niemi said Sept. 3 that the service is consuming MQ-9As at a concerning rate and that a follow-on is already under discussion, with a fiscal 2031 goal of 20 mission-ready aircraft potentially pulled forward by about two years.
WHO:Lt. Gen. Christopher Niemi; Air Force Secretary Troy Meink
WHAT:The Air Force accelerated the timeline for a cheaper, more expendable successor to the MQ-9A Reaper.
WHEN:Sep 3, 2026
WHERE:USA
WHY:Combat losses have reduced the MQ-9A fleet faster than the Air Force is willing to wait for the remainder of the aircraft’s service life.
