Netherlands Expands MQ-9A Acquisition from GA-ASI
The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) is set to increase the quantity of MQ-9A Remotely Piloted Aircraft they plan to acquire, raising the overall order from four to eight drones. The initial four MQ-9A Block 5 Reapers and their corresponding Ground Control Stations were delivered to the RNLAF in 2022. The MQ-9A is developed and manufactured by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI).
“We are enhancing the number of MQ-9A Reapers to bolster our maritime and overland intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance (ISR) capabilities,” stated Lieutenant-Colonel Jan Ruedisueli, the commander of the RNLAF’s 306 squadron which operates the latest MQ-9A Reapers. “The MQ-9As will be outfitted with external pods for Electronic Intelligence, a communications relay, a Maritime Radar, and will also be armed in the future.”
The handover of the MQ-9As, along with their Ground Control Stations and auxiliary equipment, is part of a USAF Foreign Military Sale to the RNLAF.
“We’re excited that the first batch of Dutch Reapers has made such a significant contribution to the RNLAF,” commented GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “With this new suite of features, the Netherlands will possess the most advanced MQ-9 Block 5 aircraft globally. They have tailored the Dutch MQ-9As to align with the Netherlands’ evolving mission requirements.”
MQ-9A Block 5 boasts an endurance of up to 27 hours, is capable of reaching speeds of up to 240 KTAS, and can operate at altitudes of up to 40,000 feet. It has a payload capacity of 3,850 pounds (1,746 kilograms), allowing for 3,000 pounds (1,361 kilograms) of external stores. This aircraft delivers a long-endurance, persistent surveillance capability with Full-Motion Video and Synthetic Aperture Radar/Moving Target Indicator/Maritime Radar. As an exceptionally reliable platform, the MQ-9A Block 5 features a fault-tolerant flight control system and a triple redundant avionics architecture. It is designed to meet and surpass manned aircraft reliability benchmarks.
