US Defense Innovation Unit seeks low-cost attritable drone to replace MQ-9A Reaper
The “Massed Modular Aircraft” tender envisions an uncrewed system that can be produced in large enough quantities at a low enough cost to be considered attritable in combat. The US military’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has released a solicitation for a new low-cost, high-volume uncrewed aircraft that can perform the missions of the General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper. Dubbed the “Massed Modular Aircraft”, the programme envisons a modular UAS that can provide what the DIU describes as a “risk-tolerant option” in the air domain. “The joint force’s reliance on low-density, high-value ‘exquisite’ (>$30 million) manned and unmanned aircraft is unsustainable against adversaries utilising layered defences enabled by increasingly low-cost antiaircraft capabilities,” the DIU says. “This drives the joint force into unacceptable compromises: either operate safely outside a threat zone – negatively impacting mission effectiveness – or manoeuvre inside a threat engagement zone with increased levels of attrition.” At least 24 US MQ-9As were lost in combat during the heaviest fighting of the US-Israeli air campaign over Iran throughout February, March and April. USAF chief of staff General Kenneth Wilsbach has described the uncrewed strike and reconnaissance platform as the “most valuable player” of the air war. “We get a lot of utility out of them and don't put our folks at risk," Wilsbach said during congressional testimony in May. However, the campaign revealed some limitations of the Reaper platform, namely that it is vulnerable to modern air defences (at least in the manner employed by the Pentagon) and neither easy nor cheap to replace when lost. In fact, General Atomics shuttered the MQ-9A production line in 2025 due to a lack of new US orders. The company is currently assembling MQ-9B SkyGuardians at a sticker price of around $30 million. The new MMA concept aims to address both issues by focusing on a design that can be produced at high rates for a much lower cost. Rather than improving survivability, the aircraft will instead be built with high rates of attrition in mind. “By deploying large groups of risk-tolerant MMA, the joint force can overwhelm enemy defences even while experiencing numerous MMA losses,” the DIU says. Although no specific target is provided regarding production volume, the tender notes the goal is to field “many aircraft at once” to ensure a “persistent, overwhelming [and] credible threat despite inevitable attrition.” Specific technical attributes listed in the MMA solicitation include a payload capacity of at least 1,270kg (2,800lb), an unrefuelled combat radius of at least 2,300nm (4,260km) while carrying payload, and the ability to self-deploy one-way at least an 8,000nm. MMA designs must also offer the ability to be outfitted with a variety of sensor payloads, including full-motion video, in order to fully replicate the mission set of the MQ-9A. General Atomics is offering the MQ-9B options to the US Air Force as an MQ-9A successor. The new B-variant is on contract with the UK, Canada, Poland, Belgium, Denmark, India, Taiwan, Germany, Japan and US Special Operations Command. Source: General Atomics Interestingly, autonomy is listed in the tender only as a secondary attribute with the ability to operate with a “one-to-many operator-to-UAS control ratio”. The MQ-9A is a remotely piloted aircraft with one pilot flying one vehicle. Other secondary attributes include a true airspeed of at least 200kt, the ability to operate from a runway of 6,000ft or shorter, 25kW of onboard power generation and 5kW of cooling. Design submissions are due by 23 July, with companies required to deliver a full-scale prototype for flight testing within 21 months of receiving an award. Although DIU prototyping contracts do not guarantee a subsequent deal for rate production, the agency seems inclined to move forward with operational fielding of the MMA. The tender notes the DIU is targeting 2031 for initial operating capability, defined as 20 mission-ready aircraft delivered to an operational unit and able to be deployed. General Atomics has pushed back on the notion that all of the MQ-9A’s capabilities can be replicated at a fraction of the cost. The company’s senior communications director, C. Mark Brinkley, previously described that idea as a “wonderful dream” and counters that the MQ-9 series remains “the best value for dollars out there today”. “General Atomics sells real airplanes, at scale, all around the world,” Brinkley said in May. “We are offering the US Air Force modular options for MQ-9B, at a price that reflects the [Department of War’s] requirements and can be delivered today, not someday.” Between the remaining spare parts in storage and a number of company-owned Reapers, General Atomics says it could produce between five and ten MQ-9As to offset the Pentagon’s recent combat losses . Although bearing a similar name, the MQ-9B is essentially a new aircraft, one designed to comply with civil aviation regulations. It boasts a larger 24m (79ft) wingspan, significantly improved 40h of flight endurance and automatic take-off and landing. The MQ-9B is also available in a maritime-configured SeaGuardian variant.