As a second iteration of the original Predator drone, the MQ-9 Reaper is one of the longest-serving UAVs in the American military. The Reaper also built upon its predecessor, going beyond surveillance capabilities to first strike target elimination. Talking about its purpose within the Air Force, Gen. T. Michael Moseley said,” We’ve moved from using UAVs primarily in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance roles before Operation Iraqi Freedom, to a true hunter-killer role with the Reaper” (via U.S. Air Force). It features a 900 horsepower turboprop engine that dwarfs the original Predator’s 119 horsepower and can cruise faster and higher, as well as carry 500-pound bombs and Hellfire missiles.
Despite its long service, the Reaper continues to be an integral part of the armed forces. However, in its continuing mission, its technology is currently being updated to address new threats. SlashGear reported in 2021 that preparedness for the Reaper UAVs had shifted away from counter-terrorism missions to readiness against “near-peer” threats. The USAF sees an evolving geopolitical landscape and is constantly preparing for possible threats on the horizon, even when no specific evidence shows an imminent threat. Whether the threat comes from an insurgent terrorist group or a rogue state, the Reaper presents formidable opposition in the skilled hands of the U.S. military.
Source: https://www.slashgear.com/944561/10-terrifying-war-drones-that-give-us-chills/