USMC receives first extended-range General Atomics MQ-9

USMC receives first extended-range General Atomics MQ-9

Source Node: 2099200

18 May 2023

by Zach Rosenberg

An USMC MQ-9. (US Marine Corps)

The US Marine Corps (USMC) has taken receipt of its first two extended-range General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) MQ-9s.

The two newbuild aircraft will be operated by Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 (VMU-3) from Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

“These aircraft will be based out of Hawaii, fulfilling an immediate need for a long-range, long-endurance, land-based [large-size] UAS [unmanned aircraft system] to conduct persistent maritime domain awareness and data relay in the Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility,” the USMC told Janes . “The MQ-9A has proven to be a reliable platform with a proven track record in operations and procurement by the United States Air Force (USAF).”

The USMC expects to take delivery of four more MQ-9s in fiscal year (FY) 2024, the service told Janes .


Get the full article by
Already a Janes subscriber? Keep reading


Time Stamp:

More from Janes