Tag Archives: MQ-9 Reaper

First Marine Corps MQ-9A Reaper Squadron Now Operational

First Marine Corps MQ-9A Reaper Squadron Now Operational

Marine Corps MQ-9A MUX/MALE is formally unveiled during a ceremony for Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 (VMU-3), Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Aug 2, 2023. US Marine Corps Photo

Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 (VMU 3) introduced its new Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles in a ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, last week. Read More

UPDATED: U.S. MQ-9 Drone Crashes in Black Sea After Collision with Russian Fighter; Recovery Options Unclear

UPDATED: U.S. MQ-9 Drone Crashes in Black Sea After Collision with Russian Fighter; Recovery Options Unclear

MQ-9 Reaper UAV. US Air Force Photo

This story has been updated to add comments from Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger, as well as information on recovery efforts.

The Pentagon is not yet saying whether the U.S. will try to recover an unmanned MQ-9 Reaper aircraft that ditched into international waters Tuesday after a Russian Su-27 aircraft collided with it midair over the Black Sea.
Read More

Marines Want VTOL Family of Systems for Future Vertical Lift

Marines Want VTOL Family of Systems for Future Vertical Lift

An MV-22 Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 362, idles on the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD-8), Feb. 4. Makin Island is underway conducting routine operations in U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nadia Lund)

The Marine Corps have landed on a family-of-systems approach to developing its next rotary-wing fleet, as it refines requirements for its Future Vertical Lift program, service officials said on Wednesday. Read More

Marine Corps Shifting Focus From High Turnover Force To Retaining Experienced Marines

Marine Corps Shifting Focus From High Turnover Force To Retaining Experienced Marines

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Aaron J. Seeley, a native of Corner, Alabama, graduates Marine Corps recruit training as the honor graduate for Platoon 2082, Fox Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, Oct. 15, 2021. US Marine Corps Photo

The Marine Corps will undertake a multi-year shift from its signature high turnover and young force approach to new ways to recruit more seasoned talent and retain Marines. Read More

New Report Calls for Allied Monitoring of Chinese in Pacific as Part of 'Deterrence by Detection' Plan

New Report Calls for Allied Monitoring of Chinese in Pacific as Part of ‘Deterrence by Detection’ Plan

China’s aircraft carrier Liaoning takes part in a military drill of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy in the western Pacific Ocean, April 18, 2018. PLA Photo

A “neighborhood watch approach” using coordinated American and allies’ unmanned systems and sensors could provide a continuous and effective, yet low-risk way to ward off Chinese ambitions across the Indo-Pacific, a new report from a Washington, D.C., think tank contends. Read More

Marines Say Unit Costs for CH-53K Heavy Lift Helicopter Dropping

Marines Say Unit Costs for CH-53K Heavy Lift Helicopter Dropping

CH-53K, K3, piloted by Mr. Rob Pupalaikis and Maj. Joshua Foxton, flies an aerial refueling test with an external load on Sept. 28, 2020, from NAS Patuxent River, MD. Sikorsky Photo.

The Marine Corps’ top aviation officer assured a key House panel this week that the unit costs of the CH-53K King Sea Stallion helicopter are dropping significantly. Read More