MQ-9 Reaper

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.

The Marine Corps UAV squadron, the only one of its kind in the Indo-Pacific,...

https://news.usni.org/2023/08/08/first-marine-corps-mq-9a-reaper-squadron-now-operational

U.S. MQ-9 Drone Crashes in Black Sea After Encounter with Russian Fighters

MQ-9 Reaper UAV. US Air Force Photo

A Russian Su-27 aircraft struck a U.S. unmanned MQ-9 Reaper aircraft flying over the Black Sea Tuesday causing the drone to ditch in international waters, U.S. European Command announced.

The Russian Su-27 was one of two Russian fighters that intercepted the MQ-9 in what EUCOM is calling an “unsafe and unprofessional” fashion, according to the release.

At 7:30 a.m. CET, one of the Russian planes hit the MQ-9’s propeller, according to EUCOM. U.S. forces then...

https://news.usni.org/2023/03/14/u-s-mq-9-drone-crashes-in-black-sea-after-encounter-with-russian-fighter

Report to Congress on Large Unmanned Aerial System Transfer to Ukraine

The following is the March 1, 2023 Congressional Research Service Report, Large Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Transfer to Ukraine: Issues for Congress.

From the report

In mid-2022, Ukraine reportedly requested that the Biden Administration transfer to Ukraine large advanced Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). Ukraine argues that access to these weapon systems would improve its air operations against Russian ground forces. In addition, the U.S. Air Force reportedly proposed the transfer of MQ-9 Reaper...

https://news.usni.org/2023/03/03/report-to-congress-on-large-unmanned-aerial-system-transfer-to-ukraine

Report to Congress on Current, Future Unmanned Aircraft Systems

The following is the July 28, 2022, Congressional Research Service report, Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Current and Potential Programs.

From the report

Since the dawn of military aviation, the U.S. military has been interested in remotely piloted aircraft. Present-day unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) typically consist of an unmanned aircraft vehicle (UAV) paired with a ground control station. UAS have become ubiquitous in U.S. military operations since the 1990s with the introduction of the MQ-1...

https://news.usni.org/2022/08/02/report-to-congress-on-current-future-unmanned-aircraft-systems

Report to Congress on the Future of Unmanned Aircraft

The following is the July 18, 2022 Congressional Research Service report, Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Roles, Missions, and Future Concepts.

From the report

Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have gained increased prominence in U.S. military operations. The Department of Defense (DOD) is currently developing advanced UAS, along with optionally crewed aircraft, as part of its modernization strategy. The roles and missions of UAS are relevant to Congress in authorizing, appropriating, and providing...

https://news.usni.org/2022/07/19/report-to-congress-on-the-future-of-unmanned-aircraft

Report on Current, Future Pentagon Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Programs

The following is the April 13, 2022 Congressional Research Service report, Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Current and Potential Programs

From the report

Since the dawn of military aviation, the U.S. military has been interested in remotely piloted aircraft. Present-day unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) typically consist of an unmanned aircraft vehicle (UAV) paired with a ground control station. UAS have become ubiquitous in U.S. military operations since the 1990s with the introduction of the MQ-1...

https://news.usni.org/2022/04/20/report-on-current-future-pentagon-unmanned-aerial-vehicles-programs

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...

https://news.usni.org/2022/02/09/marines-want-vtol-family-of-systems-for-future-vertical-lift

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.

For the past 35 years, the Marine...

https://news.usni.org/2021/11/03/marine-corps-shifting-focus-from-high-turnover-force-to-retaining-experienced-marines

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.

The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment’s newest...

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.

Major problems such as engine gas re-ingestion are being fixed and readiness rates for test aircraft are all moving in the right direction, Lt. Gen....

https://news.usni.org/2021/07/05/marines-say-unit-costs-for-ch-53k-heavy-lift-helicopter-dropping

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