The Air Force is adding new weapons to the Reaper, in part by leveraging an emerging “universal weap

[rangerrebew]

The Air Force is adding new weapons to the Reaper, in part by leveraging an emerging “universal weapons interface.”

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By Kris Osborn - Warrior Maven

The Air Force is advancing plans to retire its Predator drone by transitioning pilots to the larger Reaper drone – and widening the mission scope of Reapers to include more weapons integration, attack options and ISR possibilities.

The retirement and transition from the Predator to expanded Reaper use will finish by the end of this year, Air Force officials said.

“The MQ-1 Predator paved the way through 24 years of service and adaptation leading to expanded capabilities of the MQ-9 Reaper. The mission set doesn’t change. The capabilities to fulfill those multi-role missions are expanded by the MQ-9 Reaper,” Maj. Ken Scholz, Air Force Spokesman, told Warrior Maven.

https://www.themaven.net/warriormaven/air/air-force-expands-mission-for-reaper-attack-drones-adds-new-weapons-evaZ8iwQXEWbmVzC60IHmg/