US Defense Innovation Unit seeks low-cost attritable drone to replace MQ-9A Reaper

The United States military's Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has initiated a program titled Massed Modular Aircraft (MMA), calling for submissions of an uncrewed aerial system to succeed the General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper. The initiative emphasizes the need for a low-cost drone that can be manufactured at scale, enabling its use as a risk-tolerant asset in high-threat combat zones. This approach reflects an operational shift toward accepting higher platform attrition in exchange for mission persistence and saturation of enemy defenses.

The MQ-9A Reaper, valued by the U.S. Air Force for its strike and reconnaissance capabilities, has faced significant challenges amid sophisticated layered air defenses. During recent intense air combat operations involving the U.S.-Israeli efforts over Iran from February to April, at least 24 MQ-9As were lost. USAF Chief of Staff General Kenneth Wilsbach recognized the platform as the most valuable player in that campaign but also highlighted vulnerability to modern air defenses and high replacement costs.

General Atomics ceased MQ-9A production in 2025 after domestic orders dried up, transitioning focus to the newer MQ-9B SkyGuardian variant priced around $30 million. In contrast, the MMA program's goal is to produce a platform suitable for mass deployment and disposal if lost, a paradigm shift driven by the reality that reliance on scarce, costly 'exquisite' aircraft is unsustainable against adversaries equipped with widespread, inexpensive anti-aircraft technologies.

The DIU's solicitation outlines technical parameters for the MMA aircraft, including a minimum payload capacity of 1,270 kilograms, an unrefueled combat radius of at least 2,300 nautical miles while carrying weapons or sensors, and a one-way self-deployment range of no less than 8,000 nautical miles. Additionally, the MMA must be modular to accommodate diverse sensor payloads such as full-motion video, replicating the MQ-9A’s operational scope.

Secondary design attributes specify that the aircraft should reach a true airspeed exceeding 200 knots and operate from runways shorter than 6,000 feet. Power generation requirements include 25 kW onboard, along with 5 kW cooling capacity to sustain electronic payloads. Importantly, autonomy is considered a secondary feature, mainly to enable a single operator to manage multiple aircraft, contrasting with the MQ-9A’s current one-to-one remotely piloted operation.

Proposals must be submitted by 23 July, followed by recipients delivering flight-ready prototypes within 21 months. Though DIU prototyping contracts do not assure large-scale procurement, the agency's target is to achieve initial operating capability by 2031 with 20 mission-ready MMA drones deployed to operational units. This reflects an ambition to rapidly field a platform that accepts high attrition rates yet maintains overwhelming presence.

The MMA concept responds to an operational dilemma: the trade-off between flying high-value platforms safely outside threat envelopes or exposing them to losses inside contested airspace. The strategy embraces high attrition, deploying large formations to saturate enemy air defenses while sacrificing individual units without jeopardizing mission continuity.

General Atomics has publicly expressed skepticism about the feasibility of matching MQ-9A capabilities at a fraction of its cost, labeling the notion a 'wonderful dream'. The company asserts MQ-9 remains the best value for dollars spent and touts its MQ-9B variant as immediately deliverable to meet current defense requirements. The MQ-9B upgrades include a 24-meter wingspan, 40-hour endurance, and compliance with civil aviation standards, also available in a maritime SeaGuardian version.

With spare parts and stockpiled components, General Atomics estimates it could produce five to ten additional MQ-9As to offset recent combat losses. Meanwhile, DIU’s call for an attritable mass-produced alternative signals a strategic pivot in unmanned aerial warfare, emphasizing quantity and operational resilience over costly singular assets.