Marine Corps Training Squadron Takes Delivery of First GA-ASI MQ-9A Extended Range

The Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Training Squadron 2, an unmanned aerial vehicle training squadron in the U.S. Marine Corps, has received the first of eight MQ-9A Extended Range unmanned aircraft systems from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.

The drone was delivered on March 18 under an Agile Reaper Enterprise Solution indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract awarded through the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Unmanned Expeditionary program, GA-ASI said.

According to Naval Air Systems Command, the MQ-9A ER provides a long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability. The UAV features full-motion video, synthetic aperture radar, moving target indicator and maritime mode radar and is designed to operate for more than 30 hours.

The training squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina. According to Patrick Shortsleeve, GA-ASI vice president of Department of Defense strategic development, the MQ-9A ER delivery to the squadron will enable it to train and produce aircrews that can advance the USMC’s organic capability.