Article Posted on : - Jun 17, 2010

MQ-9 Reaper Hunter. A file photo

OHIO (BNS): US Air Force has awarded a $24,044,533 contract to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) for the production of four MQ-9 Reaper aircraft (two production aircraft and two ground maintenance trainers).

At this time, the entire amount has been obligated, according to a US Department of defense news release.

The MQ-9 Reaper aircraft or Predator B is powered by a turboprop engine. The aircraft series was designed as a long-endurance, high-altitude unmanned aircraft and it is used as a multi-mission system by many countries.

It is used for reconnaissance, surveillance, targeting and weapons delivery to scientific research and other civilian applications. It has the capacity to conduct multiple missions simultaneously due to its large internal and external payload capacity.

The Predator B was developed by General Atomics in 2000 and the aircraft took its first flight in February 2001.