US Air Force Arms MQ-9 Reaper Drones with Air-to-Air Missiles for Self-Defense
The U.S. Air Force is upgrading its MQ-9 Reaper drones by equipping them with AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. This strategic enhancement is designed to provide the drones with a self-defense capability against hostile aircraft. The move transforms the Reaper from a purely surveillance and ground-attack platform into a more versatile asset for operations in contested airspace. Successful flight tests have already demonstrated the missile's integration with the drone. This new capability is part of a broader effort to ensure the survivability and relevance of the Reaper fleet against near-peer adversaries.
Official Source: https://www.defenseone.com/defense-systems/2026/05/air-force-missiles-reaper-drones/413469/?oref=d1-author-river
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