Page 1 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, October 16, 2020

vol. 4, no. 23 Serving Southern Nevada’s military community, including Nellis, Creech and NTTR oct. 16, 2020

An Aerotech news And review publicAtion • www.Aerotechnews.com
MQ-9 Reaper Takes Flight with 8 Hellfire Missiles

MQ-9 over many combat roles, with an
by 1st Lt Savanah Bray arsenal of highly versatile, accurate, and
Creech AFB, Nev. collateral-friendly weapons for all Com-
batant Commanders.”
The 556th Test and Evaluation Squad- In future conflicts, MQ-9 aircrew will
ron conducted the first flight of the MQ-9A be required to dynamically target prior-
Reaper carrying eight live AGM-114 Hell- ity targets and defend isolated personnel,
fire missiles on Sept. 10, 2020, reinforcing explained Chmielewski. These missions
the platform’s “persistent attack” role. require accelerated kill chains to engage
This new capability is part of the MQ-9 priority targets, some with fleeting engage-
Operational Flight Program 2409, a soft- ment opportunities, and to neutralize hos-
ware upgrade set to field by the end of cal- tile threats immediately. Added firepower
endar year 2020. Previous to this software, increases the persistent attack ability of
the Reaper was limited to four AGM-114s the MQ-9 to respond immediately across
across two stations. The new software its long mission times, where it previously
allows flexibility to load the Hellfire on may have exhausted its weapons inventory
stations that previously were reserved for and had to slow the kill chain to coordinate
500-pound class bombs or fuel tanks. for additional kinetic support to engage a
“The hardware/launcher is the same
that we use on the outboard stations,” said Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Haley Stevens priority target.
“The 556th Test and Evaluation Squad-
Master Sgt. Melvin French, Test System An MQ-9A Reaper assigned to the 556th Test and Evaluation Squadron sits on the ramp ron continues to break barriers to maxi-
Configuration Manager. “Aside from the at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., carrying eight Hellfire missiles. This was the first flight test mize MQ-9 relevance across the spectrum
extra hardware required to be on-hand, of the MQ-9 carrying eight Hellfire missiles. of conflict to develop capabilities for
no other changes are required to support
today and tomorrow’s warfighter,” said
this new capability and added lethal- Chmielewski. “This team never fails to
ity. The Reaper retains its flexibility to fly impress me. OFP tests are very rigorous and
500-pound bombs on any of these stations, require a squadron wide effort. Pair that ef-
instead of the AGM 114s, when mission fort with the fast-paced aspect of this OFP
requirements dictate.” cycle, the Advanced Battle Management
The new capability stems from a com- System demonstration, restrictions from
bined requirements process between Air COVID-19, and the unique approaches to
Combat Command and Air Force Special overcome these challenges to deliver the
Operations Command that sets the scope tactical advantage to the warfighter without
for each MQ-9 OFP update. delay are proven impressive.”
“History has proven the MQ-9’s ability “Doubling the Hellfire capacity increas-
to provide aerial continuity and attack es the MQ-9 flexibility, responsiveness,
support for air and ground forces during and lethality,” said Capt. Arthur James,
counter-insurgency and Close Air Sup- lead MQ-9 OT&E Project Manager for
port,” said Lt. Col. Michael Chmielewski, this test. “While this capability is just one
Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Haley Stevens commander, 556th Test and Evaluation of the various upgrades to OFP 2409, it is
A 556th Test and Evaluation Squadron MQ-9A Reaper sits ready to fly a test mission. This Squadron. “Doubling the firepower of this one that benefits the MQ-9 across current
was the first time a Reaper had carried eight Hellfire missiles. Before this software upgrade, high-endurance aircraft with Hellfires and future AORs in which we are expected
the Reaper was limited to carrying four AGM-114s. improves the lethality and agility of the to fight.”

AlwAys free Access!

Frequent Updates – Breaking News – Local • Regional • National