The MQ-9 "Reaper" drone operated on a regular highway for the first time.
An MQ-9 Reaper flies by August 8, 2007 at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nevada. The Reaper is the Air Force's first "hunter-killer" unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), designed to engage time-sensitive targets on the battlefield as well as provide intelligence and surveillance.
Does this mean that U.S. residents will soon see this advanced defense UAV on automobile highways?
The U.S. Air Force conducted this activity as a part of its Exercise Agile Chariot event, which happened from Apr. 30 until May 2. Now, here's what happened during the MQ-9 drone exercise.
MQ-9 Reaper Drone Operates on Regular Highway for the First Time!
According to Interesting Engineering's latest report, an MQ-9 Reaper drone landed, re-armed, and re-fueled on a common highway for cars.
An Mq-9 Reaper type drone at the Naval Air Station (NAS) at Sigonella, Sicily, the best equipped American intervention base in the Mediterranean on April 29, 2022 in Catania, Italy. Almost 2200 American soldiers and their families live on the US Naval base on the Italian island of Sicily.
Also Read: US Army Grants Operational Capability to Northrop Grumman's Integrated Battle Command System
The U.S. Air Force conducted the activity on Highway 287; a north-south U.S. highway spanning over 1,700 miles long.
Highway 287 is considered to be the 2nd longest three-digit U.S. Route, serving as a major truck highway.
The U.S. Department of Defense described the latest Air Force activity as an "organic, entirely air-delivered, run-way independent operation.
"When you get the right people, at the right time, in the right place, you can accomplish impressive feats," said Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, an AFSOC commander, via The Drive.
Why MQ-9 Drone Operation is Big Deal?
The Exercise Agile Chariot event was conducted to see of U.S. defense aircraft models can operated in areas without runways or airfields.
The MQ-9 drone is not the only aircraft that was used during the event. An MC-130J Commando II and two A-10C Thunderbolt II attack jets were also included.
Some MH-6M Little Bird helicopters also participated in the Exercise Agile Chariot event.
But, the MQ-9 drone operation is the most notable one. Lt. Col. David Payne, 2nd Special Operations Squadron Commander, said that the achievement shows that the drone can expand its reach to protect U.S. residents.
If you want to see the actual photos of the latest Exercise Agile Chariot mission, you can click this link.
In other news, the new military satellites of Northrop Grumman are expected to revolutionize U.S. defense communications.
We also reported about the first drone boat of the U.S. Navy, which was recently deployed via the Strait of Hormuz.
For more news updates about defense, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
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