GA-ASI MQ-9A Used for First USMC Operational Flight in Middle East

SAN DIEGO,April 17,2020 -- On March 20,2020,U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) pilots and sensor operators from Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1 (VMU-1) conducted their first operational flight of an MQ-9A Reaper Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) in the Middle East.The multi-sensor reconnaissance-equipped MQ-9A UAS produced by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems,Inc. (GA-ASI) has provided crucial support to USMC's forward operations on the battlefield.

With the oversight of the GA-ASI team,the VMU-1 "Watchdog" crews took control of a Company Owned/Company Operated (COCO) MQ-9A supporting forward deployed Marines.This USMC achievement comes shortly after surpassing 7,000 hours of COCO flight operations since September 2018.

"This achievement represents a unique milestone and example of the Marine Corps' legacy of innovation," said David R. Alexander,president,GA-ASI. "As a partner with the Marine Corps,we look forward to expanding the role of Medium-altitude,Long-endurance (MALE) UAS in support of maritime littoral missions."

VMU-1 leases MQ-9A Reaper aircraft to fulfill its urgent needs request for persistent Intelligence,Surveillance,and Reconnaissance (ISR) in Afghanistan. GA-ASI has been working with VMU-1 as the USMC transitions its COCO MQ-9A contract to a Government Owned/Government Operated (GOGO) contract in the coming year.

The GOGO capability fulfills the Commandant's directive for USMC Group 5 persistent ISR capability with strike. VMU-1 will be the test bed and incubator to provide crucial information,lessons learned,requirements,tactics,techniques,and procedures that will aid in the USMC efforts for the successful acquisition and fielding of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Expeditionary (MUX) Group 5 capability.

Hi-resolution images of the MQ-9 Reaper are available to qualified media outlets from the GA-ASI media contact list.

About GA-ASI

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems,Inc. (GA-ASI),an affiliate of General Atomics,is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven,reliable Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems,radars,and electro-optic and related mission systems,including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. With more than six million flight hours,GA-ASI provides long-endurance,mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent flight that enables situational awareness and rapid strike. The company also produces a variety of ground control stations and sensor control/image analysis software,offers pilot training and support services,and develops meta-material antennas. For more information,visit www.ga-asi.com.

Lynx,Predator,SeaGuardian and SkyGuardian are registered trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems,Inc.

GA-ASI Media Relations

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems,Inc.

+1 (858) 524-8101

ASI-MediaRelations@ga-asi.com

Related Images

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GA-ASI's MQ-9A Block 5

With the oversight of the GA-ASI team,the VMU-1 "Watchdog" crews took control of a Company Owned/Company Operated (COCO) MQ-9A supporting forward deployed Marines.