The U.S. Air Force is speeding up plans to field an MQ-9A replacement after heavy MQ-9 Reaper losses during operations against Iran, senior officials said Sept. 3. The service is targeting a unit price of about $10 million per aircraft.
WHO:
U.S. Air Force senior officials
WHAT:
Accelerating plans to field an MQ-9A replacement and targeting a $10 million per-aircraft price point
WHEN:
Sep 3, 2026
WHERE:
USA
WHY:
The acceleration is a response to heavy MQ-9 Reaper losses in operations against Iran.
