US Navy tests new comms pod for Marine Corps’ MQ-9A Reaper
The MQ-9 Reaper provides marines with a long-range intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability. (Photo: US Marine Corps)
The pod, named SkyTower II (STII) was tested ahead of the system’s initial operational capability (IOC) in 2026.
The United States Navy (USN) has received and tested the first SkyTower II (STII) network extension pod for the Marine Corps’ MQ-9A Reaper, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has announced.
The STII is a network extension pod that, according to NAVAIR, improves the MQ-9A’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
Designed to enhance cross-domain communication capabilities and communications between spread out forces, the pod was successfully tested on the Marine Corps’ MQ-9A Reaper at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in February.
Related Articles
Netherlands upgrades MQ-9A Reaper fleet
“The programme is excited to deliver SkyTower II for testing, marking a major milestone in our development journey,” said Capt. Dennis Monagle, Multi-Mission Tactical UAS program manager.
“With robust system and integration testing now underway, we remain on track to achieve initial operating capability this year, delivering critical capability to the US Marine Corps and the joint forces.”
According to NAVAR, the Air Test and Evaluation 24 squadron conducted several different tests on the integrated pod, which included hoisting the aircraft in an anechoic chamber while providing power and satellite link control.
Over the next “several months” the team will carry out final tests before delivering the upgraded MQ-9As to the Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 (VMU-3) fleet.
The VMU-3 are reportedly set to be the first unit to deploy the upgraded system in 2026. In 2022, a US$135.8 million contract was awarded by the USN to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) for eight MQ-9A Reapers to meet the future requirements for the Marine Corps Force Design 2030 vision.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![US Air Force and Air National Guard test Northrop Grumman solution to increase performance for air tankers]()
US Air Force and Air National Guard test Northrop Grumman solution to increase performance for air tankers
The voice and data interoperability system has been built to enable operations in contested environments.
-
![Dassault considers boosting Indian presence to support future Rafale production]()
Dassault considers boosting Indian presence to support future Rafale production
Discussion of any new production line in India would reportedly be for the F5 jet, although India is also closing in on cementing a deal for 26 Rafale-M aircraft for its Navy.
-
![US Navy Next-Generation Jammer approaches full-rate production]()
US Navy Next-Generation Jammer approaches full-rate production
Raytheon is currently finalising the production of NGJ-MB lot 5 while working with the US Navy on contract requirements over multiple years.
-
![Australian Army aviation veers heavily towards the US]()
Australian Army aviation veers heavily towards the US
Sikorsky’s UH-60M Black Hawk and Boeing’s AH-46 Apache will soon form the bedrock of the Australian Army’s rotorcraft capabilities, as the army awaits further delivery of both types.
-
![Lockheed Martin “bullish” on future of its F-16 programme]()
Lockheed Martin “bullish” on future of its F-16 programme
The company foresees demand for around 300 Block 70/72 F-16s from customers across the globe and is targeting around a 23 to 26 aircraft delivery total for 2025.
-
![Boeing secures $569 million contract to support Royal Australian Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail]()
Boeing secures $569 million contract to support Royal Australian Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail
The fleet of six E-7A Wedgetail aircraft is based at RAAF Base Williamtown and will reportedly support up to 170 jobs in the region.
