USAF wants to replace $30 million MQ-9 Reaper drones with cheaper UAVs after "dozens" were lost in Iran, costing taxpayers billions

Pentagon seeks an affordable drone capable of replacing many MQ-9 Reaper missions Reaper drones hit hard in Iran, and losses force demand for lower-cost unmanned combat aircraft New aircraft must combine long range with substantial payload capacity The United States Air Force is examining a lower-co

<![CDATA[ <article> <ul><li><strong>Pentagon seeks an affordable drone capable of replacing many MQ-9 Reaper missions</strong></li><li><strong>Reaper drones hit hard in Iran, and losses force demand for lower-cost unmanned combat aircraft</strong></li><li><strong>New aircraft must combine long range with substantial payload capacity</strong></li></ul><p>The United States Air Force is examining a lower-cost unmanned aircraft concept after losing “dozens” of MQ-9 Reaper drones during the recent conflict involving Iran.</p><p>Those losses have intensified concerns about relying upon expensive aircraft in environments where increasingly affordable air defenses can destroy them.</p><p>With roughly 135 Reapers in service and each <a href="https://www.techradar.com/cameras/drones/best-drone">drone</a> costing about $30 million, officials increasingly question whether existing loss rates remain sustainable.</p><h2 id="pentagon-seeks-a-lower-cost-drone-with-long-range-and-heavy-payload">Pentagon seeks a lower-cost drone with long range and heavy payload</h2><p>Rather than pursuing a more advanced version of the MQ-9, defense planners are exploring a drone intended for larger-scale deployment.</p><p>The Defense Innovation Unit is seeking proposals for a Massed Modular Aircraft, or MMA, capable of performing many missions currently assigned to the Reaper.</p><p>According to the solicitation, the Pentagon believes dependence upon “exquisite” aircraft costing more than $30 million is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.</p><p>The concept favours quantity alongside capability, allowing forces to continue operating even after suffering substantial battlefield attrition.</p><p>Unlike many smaller drones commonly associated with swarm operations, the proposed aircraft would retain significant reach and carrying capacity.</p><p>The solicitation calls for a payload of at least 2,800 pounds, compared with roughly 3,800 pounds carried by the MQ-9.</p><p>Requirements also include an unrefueled combat radius of at least 2,300 nautical miles and a one-way transfer distance exceeding 8,000 nautical miles.</p><p>The drone must travel at speeds above 200 miles per hour while remaining capable of operating from 6,000-foot runways and improvised airstrips.</p><p>Defense planners also want enough onboard power and cooling capacity to support diverse internal and external mission equipment.</p><p>The specifications mention 25kW of available electrical power and 5kW of cooling capacity for future mission systems.</p><h2 id="ambitious-timeline-aims-for-operational-capability-by-2031">Ambitious timeline aims for operational capability by 2031</h2><p>The proposal places considerable emphasis upon autonomy, allowing a single operator to supervise several aircraft simultaneously during complex missions.</p><p>While no specific dimensions were included, the performance requirements indicate an aircraft broadly comparable in size to the MQ-9.</p><p>Officials have also not disclosed a preferred procurement price, though expectations suggest a figure substantially below the Reaper's estimated $30 million cost.</p><p>The timeline remains aggressive, with full-scale prototype flight testing expected within 21 months following contract award.</p><p>Initial Operating Capability is planned for fiscal year 2031, with 20 mission-ready aircraft delivered to an operational unit.</p><p>Recent combat experiences appear to have influenced the concept's development, particularly situations where defenders exhausted interceptors before attackers exhausted drones.</p><p>The solicitation argues that maintaining continuous MMA operations could pressure opponents into consuming costly defensive missiles at unsustainable rates.</p><p>“Keeping a constant airborne MMA presence to launch weapons, gather intelligence, perform electronic warfare missions, or relay communications will force an adversary to stay on the defensive,” the Defense Innovation Unit stated. </p><p>Via <a href="https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/07/08/pentagon-to-explore-cheaper-replacements-for-the-mq-9-reaper/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Defense News</a></p> </article> ]]>