Cruise Missiles Could Get Added To MQ-9’s Arsenal
Serving as weapon trucks loaded with Joint Strike Missiles could be one way for the MQ-9 drone to remain relevant in future major conflicts.
BY
JOSEPH TREVITHICK
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PUBLISHED MAR 1, 2023 5:56 PM
JOSEPH TREVITHICK
General Atomics has unveiled a new concept for how its MQ-9B SkyGuardian drone might be employed in the future, as a launch platform for U.S.-Norwegian Joint Strike Missile cruise missiles. Utilizing MQ-9-series uncrewed aircraft as weapon trucks loaded with stand-off munitions could be one way to help ensure their relevance in future high-end conflicts.
An artist's conception of an MQ-9B in Royal Australian Air Force markings and armed with a pair of Joint Strike Missiles (JSM) under each wing is currently on display at the Avalon airshow in Australia, which wraps up this week. The MQ-9B is an evolution of the MQ-9 Reaper that has greater range, endurance, and maximum payload capacity over its predecessor, among other improvements.
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/cruise-missiles-could-get-added-to-mq-9s-arsenal
