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Aug. 21 (UPI) -- General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems has received a $134 million contract to flight test advanced sensors for the MQ-9 series of unmanned aerial vehicles. The U.S. Missile Defense Agency contract covers the development and integration of sensor systems into an MQ-9 for realistic testing in the continental U.S. and elsewhere.
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Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and is expected to be finished by October 2021.
MDA fiscal 2018 research, development, test and engineering funds in the amount of $7.1 million are being obligated at the time of award.
The MQ-9B SkyGuardian, also known as the Reaper, is a much larger and heavily armed successor to the storied MQ-1 Predator drone. It is designed primarily for attack missions but can also be used for surveillance, close air support and reconnaissance missions.
It has long-range endurance and carries the advanced Multi-Spectral Targeting System. Its suite includes infrared cameras, laser designators, and video systems. It has satellite uplink/downlink capabilities that allow its sensor data to be shared across networks.
It has a high cruise speed and maximum flight ceiling of up to 40,000 feet, a long range compared to similar UAVs, and can carry a much larger payload than its predecessors like the Predator. It can carry Hellfire laser-guided missiles, GBU-12 Paveway bombs, and GPS-guided GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions.
The Missile Defense Agency is responsible for the defense of U.S. territory and its allies from ballistic missile threats. The agency coordinates a network of land-based and ship-based missile interceptors along with radars and satellites to detect and destroy enemy ballistic missiles.
