Upgraded MQ-9A Reaper Drone Expands US Marines Reach in Electronic Warfare Across Pacific
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The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) announced on its X account on August 12, 2025, the first flight of an MQ-9A Reaper equipped with new communication and electronic support pods, marking an important step toward achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC) later this year. The aircraft involved, assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (UX) 24, flew with the SkyTower II pod and the RDESS/SOAR pod, confirming the integration of these systems on a platform that plays a central role in U.S. maritime and expeditionary operations.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The MQ-9A Reaper, derived from the Predator B and developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, is a turboprop-powered multi-mission unmanned aircraft designed to deliver extended endurance and operational flexibility over land and sea (Picture source: NAVAIR)
An image released by NAVAIR shows the Reaper carrying the SkyTower II pod and an external fuel tank under the left wing, the RDESS/SOAR pod under the right wing, and a third unidentified pod mounted on the centerline. Although no precise flight date was disclosed, UX-24 had confirmed in February 2025 the initial installation of the SkyTower II pod and its first power-on tests, indicating that the integration campaign is progressing as planned.
The SkyTower II pod, developed by GALT and integrated through NAVAIR’s middle-tier acquisition process, is designed to enhance airborne networking and data-sharing capabilities across forces. It is a required element for executing Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) concepts of operation and will enable MQ-9s to function as airborne “digital quarterbacks” in support of U.S. Marine Corps operations in the Indo-Pacific. The first operational deployment is scheduled for 2026 with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 3, based at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, a unit specializing in reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition missions in the region.
The second system, the RDESS/SOAR pod, was developed jointly by General Atomics and L3Harris. It has already been tested on some U.S. Air Force MQ-9s since 2021 and is a broad-spectrum passive electronic support payload able to detect, collect, and geolocate signals of interest at standoff ranges. U.S. Marine Corps Commandant General Eric M. Smith stated that the system adds another layer of protection by being able to replicate certain detected signals and retransmit them, while declining to provide further details for operational security reasons.
The MQ-9A Reaper, derived from the Predator B and developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, is a turboprop-powered multi-mission unmanned aircraft designed to deliver extended endurance and operational flexibility over land and sea. It can fly for more than 27 hours, at speeds of 240 knots, and up to 50,000 feet, with a payload capacity of 3,850 pounds, including 3,000 pounds on external hardpoints. Powered by the Honeywell TPE331-10 engine with Digital Electronic Engine Control, it combines efficiency with a fault-tolerant flight control system and triple-redundant avionics architecture that meets manned aircraft reliability standards. Its modular design allows it to carry a variety of payloads, including the MTS-B electro-optical/infrared system, Lynx multimode radar, maritime surveillance radars, SIGINT/ESM systems, and communications relays. The aircraft can also be armed with laser designators and precision-guided munitions, broadening its mission set from surveillance and target acquisition to strike operations. The Extended Range (ER) version, fitted with wing-mounted fuel tanks and reinforced landing gear, increases endurance to 34 hours, further expanding operational use. The MQ-9A has been fielded by the U.S. Air Force, the Department of Homeland Security, NASA, the Royal Air Force, and the air forces of Italy, France, and Spain.
The Marine Corps plans to use these upgraded MQ-9As to support the Marine Littoral Regiment, with missions including ISR-T (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting), Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), Airborne Network Extension (ANE), Airborne Early Warning (AEW), and Electronic Support (ES). The MQ-9A Reaper-ER, with endurance exceeding 30 hours, is considered particularly important for contested environments in the Pacific, where persistence and range are key.
NAVAIR stated that the Reaper provides the Marine Corps with long-range ISR in support of maritime domain awareness and expeditionary advanced base operations in contested settings. The aircraft had previously reached IOC with VMU-3 on August 2, 2023, demonstrating its value in maritime and coastal missions. The integration of the SkyTower II and RDESS/SOAR pods reflects the effort by the Marine Corps and Navy to adapt existing platforms to meet the operational requirements of the Indo-Pacific theater.
The first flight of the MQ-9A Reaper with the SkyTower II and RDESS/SOAR pods, announced by NAVAIR on August 12, 2025, represents an important milestone for U.S. forces. These systems improve connectivity, resilience, and signal detection, paving the way for operational service in 2026. Through this modernization, the Marine Corps strengthens its multidomain approach and its ability to operate in complex and contested environments across the Indo-Pacific.
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The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) announced on its X account on August 12, 2025, the first flight of an MQ-9A Reaper equipped with new communication and electronic support pods, marking an important step toward achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC) later this year. The aircraft involved, assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (UX) 24, flew with the SkyTower II pod and the RDESS/SOAR pod, confirming the integration of these systems on a platform that plays a central role in U.S. maritime and expeditionary operations.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The MQ-9A Reaper, derived from the Predator B and developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, is a turboprop-powered multi-mission unmanned aircraft designed to deliver extended endurance and operational flexibility over land and sea (Picture source: NAVAIR)
An image released by NAVAIR shows the Reaper carrying the SkyTower II pod and an external fuel tank under the left wing, the RDESS/SOAR pod under the right wing, and a third unidentified pod mounted on the centerline. Although no precise flight date was disclosed, UX-24 had confirmed in February 2025 the initial installation of the SkyTower II pod and its first power-on tests, indicating that the integration campaign is progressing as planned.
The SkyTower II pod, developed by GALT and integrated through NAVAIR’s middle-tier acquisition process, is designed to enhance airborne networking and data-sharing capabilities across forces. It is a required element for executing Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) concepts of operation and will enable MQ-9s to function as airborne “digital quarterbacks” in support of U.S. Marine Corps operations in the Indo-Pacific. The first operational deployment is scheduled for 2026 with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 3, based at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, a unit specializing in reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition missions in the region.
The second system, the RDESS/SOAR pod, was developed jointly by General Atomics and L3Harris. It has already been tested on some U.S. Air Force MQ-9s since 2021 and is a broad-spectrum passive electronic support payload able to detect, collect, and geolocate signals of interest at standoff ranges. U.S. Marine Corps Commandant General Eric M. Smith stated that the system adds another layer of protection by being able to replicate certain detected signals and retransmit them, while declining to provide further details for operational security reasons.
The MQ-9A Reaper, derived from the Predator B and developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, is a turboprop-powered multi-mission unmanned aircraft designed to deliver extended endurance and operational flexibility over land and sea. It can fly for more than 27 hours, at speeds of 240 knots, and up to 50,000 feet, with a payload capacity of 3,850 pounds, including 3,000 pounds on external hardpoints. Powered by the Honeywell TPE331-10 engine with Digital Electronic Engine Control, it combines efficiency with a fault-tolerant flight control system and triple-redundant avionics architecture that meets manned aircraft reliability standards. Its modular design allows it to carry a variety of payloads, including the MTS-B electro-optical/infrared system, Lynx multimode radar, maritime surveillance radars, SIGINT/ESM systems, and communications relays. The aircraft can also be armed with laser designators and precision-guided munitions, broadening its mission set from surveillance and target acquisition to strike operations. The Extended Range (ER) version, fitted with wing-mounted fuel tanks and reinforced landing gear, increases endurance to 34 hours, further expanding operational use. The MQ-9A has been fielded by the U.S. Air Force, the Department of Homeland Security, NASA, the Royal Air Force, and the air forces of Italy, France, and Spain.
The Marine Corps plans to use these upgraded MQ-9As to support the Marine Littoral Regiment, with missions including ISR-T (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting), Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), Airborne Network Extension (ANE), Airborne Early Warning (AEW), and Electronic Support (ES). The MQ-9A Reaper-ER, with endurance exceeding 30 hours, is considered particularly important for contested environments in the Pacific, where persistence and range are key.
NAVAIR stated that the Reaper provides the Marine Corps with long-range ISR in support of maritime domain awareness and expeditionary advanced base operations in contested settings. The aircraft had previously reached IOC with VMU-3 on August 2, 2023, demonstrating its value in maritime and coastal missions. The integration of the SkyTower II and RDESS/SOAR pods reflects the effort by the Marine Corps and Navy to adapt existing platforms to meet the operational requirements of the Indo-Pacific theater.
The first flight of the MQ-9A Reaper with the SkyTower II and RDESS/SOAR pods, announced by NAVAIR on August 12, 2025, represents an important milestone for U.S. forces. These systems improve connectivity, resilience, and signal detection, paving the way for operational service in 2026. Through this modernization, the Marine Corps strengthens its multidomain approach and its ability to operate in complex and contested environments across the Indo-Pacific.
