PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — In June 2025, the U.S. Marine Corps received its final MQ-9A Reaper Block 5 Extended Range (ER) Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) at the Gray Butte flight operations facility in California. This delivery completes a three-year acquisition campaign, marking a significant milestone for Marine Corps aviation.
The Marine Corps now has 18 MQ-9A Reapers in its fleet, with two additional units in transit. The acquisition, managed by the Multi-Mission Tactical UAS program office (PMA-266), leveraged strong collaboration with GA-ASI and the U.S. Air Force to deliver advanced capabilities on schedule. “This program has been a model of how to do things right,” said Capt. Dennis Monagle, PMA-266 program manager. “We leveraged a strong relationship with industry and the Air Force to move quickly, stay on schedule, and deliver advanced capability to the fleet with minimal friction. It’s been a very smooth process, proof that when the right teams align, we can move at the speed the Marines need.”
The MQ-9A is a multi-role, medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS designed for missions such as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and maritime domain awareness. Its adoption enhances the Marine Corps’ expeditionary capabilities, enabling operations in contested and distributed environments. The system aligns with Force Design 2030 priorities, supporting distributed maritime operations.
The program team is integrating advanced features, including the SkyTower II airborne network extension pod, which is on track to achieve Initial Operational Capability (IOC) later in 2025. This upgrade will expand the Corps’ long-range mission capabilities. PMA-266 oversees the MQ-9 Marine Air-Ground Task Force UAS, Expeditionary Family of Systems, and emerging Group 4 and 5 vertical lift platforms, ensuring continued development of uncrewed systems.
The acquisition process benefited from streamlined coordination between the Marine Corps, GA-ASI, and the Air Force, minimizing delays and maintaining alignment with operational needs. The MQ-9A’s flexibility supports a range of missions critical to modern warfare, particularly in maritime and expeditionary contexts. Its extended range and endurance make it a valuable asset for maintaining situational awareness across vast areas.
The completion of this campaign strengthens the Marine Corps’ uncrewed aviation portfolio, building on years of investment in UAS technology. The MQ-9A fleet provides commanders with enhanced flexibility to conduct missions in dynamic environments, reducing risk to personnel while maintaining operational effectiveness. The system’s integration into the Marine Air-Ground Task Force reflects a broader shift toward uncrewed and networked platforms.
Since the program’s inception, PMA-266 has focused on delivering systems that meet the Marine Corps’ evolving needs. The successful delivery of the final MQ-9A underscores the importance of industry partnerships and inter-service collaboration. As the Corps prepares for the SkyTower II pod’s IOC, it continues to refine its UAS capabilities to support future operational demands.
