General Atomics expands MQ-9 Reaper drones' role with cruise missiles

General Atomics is enhancing the strike capabilities of its MQ-9 Reaper drone family, particularly the MQ-9B variants SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian, by integrating long-range cruise missiles such as the AGM-158 JASSM, its LRASM anti-ship variant, and the Joint Strike Missile. This expansion aims to enable the drones to loiter for extended periods before launching precision strikes from standoff distances, significantly broadening their mission profile beyond traditional intelligence collection and dynamic targeting roles. The upgrades respond to demand from naval and air forces for platforms capable of engaging targets across vast air and maritime domains, especially in the Western Pacific region. The company is adapting the MQ-9B’s payload capacity, flight stability, and range to accommodate these extended-range munitions, leveraging the drone’s substantial payload margin to add value and attract new international customers. Flight testing of integrated weapons is planned as early as 2026. The envisioned operational concept involves MQ-9B drones operating from friendly bases,