AFRICOM calls out for new ISR UAVs
AFRICOM has been looking for a replacement for its legacy Reaper MQ-9 drones. (Photo: US Air Force/Lt. Col. Leslie Pratt)
With the venerable MQ-9 Reaper drone being “legacy’ed out”, US Africa Command will require new long-range, long-endurance UAVs for ISR missions in a complex geopolitical environment.
US Africa Command (AFRICOM) officials have highlighted the need to obtain a replacement for its General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the near future.
Speaking at the Emerging Technologies for Defense conference in Washington, DC, earlier this month, AFRICOM officials said the new drones were needed to conduct long-range and long-endurance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) across the command’s area of responsibilities, which includes all African countries except for Egypt.
During a media roundtable on 7 August, Shephard asked Heidi Shyu, undersecretary of defense for research and engineering at the US Department of Defense (DoD), about her office’s
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
-
![US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS]()
US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS
The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
-
![AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024]()
AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024
AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
-
![Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards]()
Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards
The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
-
![FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official]()
FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official
Prototypes from Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems recently passed through MOSA conformance trials and flight tests.
-
![Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities]()
Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities
Funds for the second phase of this effort will be allocated in the US Department of Defense (DoD) FY2026 budget request.
