The Marine Corps has already received two MQ-9 Reaper drones with a range of more than 7,400km and a flight time of up to 34 hours.

About a week and a half ago, we wrote that General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-AS) had delivered the Marine Corps' first MQ-9 Reaper drone. The service already has two drones in service.

Here's What We Know

The drones are being delivered to VMU-3 Squadron, whose home base is US Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The extended range version is equipped with a Honeywell TPE331-10 engine, can stay in the air for up to 34 hours and has a range of over 7,400km.

The drones themselves will be based out of Hawaii, meeting the service's need for long-range drones to provide continuous awareness in the Indo-Pacific region. Marine Corps officials said the MQ-9 Reaper is a robust unmanned platform that has proven itself in service with the US Air Force.

It is worth noting that the US Air Force and other MQ-9 operators equip the drone with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. The US Marine Corps has no plans to arm its drones. The Reaper will be used exclusively for reconnaissance, surveillance and reconnaissance. By the way, the name Reaper will also be dropped to emphasize the difference in missions.

Source: Janes