The first unmanned reconnaissance aircraft MQ-9 Reaper in the Netherlands has been officially acquired from the manufacturer. With the US Air Force, Defense established that the aircraft meets the requirements. This was done via so-called acceptance flights.
With the Reaper, the armed forces have state-of-the-art technology that can be operated worldwide thanks to satellite control.
The Reaper fits well into the future of Defense. Information-driven military operations and ground observation from the air or space are indispensable in this.
The MQ-9 Reaper is a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS). The Netherlands has purchased 4 of them. There will also be acceptance flights with other aircraft next week. If these are successful, Defense will station the Reapers on Curaçao. The Air Force then completes an operational test and evaluation program from Hato Airport. Thereafter, the MQ-9 carries out support tasks for the Commander of the Caribbean Sea Forces and the Caribbean Coast Guard.
The 1st Dutch MQ-9 Reaper acceptance flight was from the airport of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems. That is the manufacturer of the device, located in the American Poway in California.
Source: Blicopniuews