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Senators urge MQ-9 Reaper fleet buildup by 2028 as the platform expands persistent airborne early warning

U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee members want the Air Force to grow its MQ-9 Reaper fleet by 2028, citing the drone’s value in Operation Epic Fury. The push follows renewed emphasis on Reaper’s economical, radar-enabled persistent airborne early warning role.

Discovered 2026-06-17T23:01:29.428283-07:00 | 2026-06-17T23:01:29.428283-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

The Committee’s directive to build the MQ-9 Reaper fleet by 2028 is a near-term procurement signal for uncrewed ISR and persistent overwatch capabilities, directly tied to operational performance in Epic Fury (see USAF calls MQ-9 Reaper the “MVP” in Epic Fury as lawmakers weigh manned-unmanned priorities).
Expanding Reaper’s radar-enabled airborne early warning adds a cost-effective “persistent AEW” layer to air and maritime sensing—part of the same capability arc highlighted by GA-ASI and Saab complete first flight of MQ-9B SkyGuardian with Saab LoyalEye airborne early warning radar).
For industry, fleet growth decisions affect downstream demand signals across airframes, mission systems integration, and sustainment planning—especially as lawmakers explicitly connect force structure to current operational needs.

Reported By

Defense One The War Zone uasvision.com