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
-
![October crewed air review: Israel’s Apache deal bets on crewed aviation in an uncrewed age]()
October crewed air review: Israel’s Apache deal bets on crewed aviation in an uncrewed age
Israel’s $1 billion Apache helicopter order highlights the continued demand for crewed attack aviation, while growing integration with uncrewed systems could shape future modernisation and procurement decisions.
-
![US Navy keeps Super Hornet production restart option open, but without defined cost or timetable]()
US Navy keeps Super Hornet production restart option open, but without defined cost or timetable
The US Navy plans to preserve Super Hornet and Growler tooling as production winds down, with restart costs unassessed and final F/A-18 deliveries expected in late 2027.
-
![Connecting the layers: how networks can secure the future of European air defence]()
Connecting the layers: how networks can secure the future of European air defence
The rise of drones has reshaped the threat landscape for all European militaries. For industry, future defensive strategies must carefully balance a mix of passive and active measures to address the evolving danger, based around a highly integrated and responsive network of sensors and effectors.
-
![Germany could secure greater influence through sixth-generation fighter partnership with Sweden and Spain]()
Germany could secure greater influence through sixth-generation fighter partnership with Sweden and Spain
Germany is assessing potential pathways for a future sixth-generation fighter capability, including discussions with GCAP partners and Sweden.
-
![Quantum Systems details 480km/h Ukrainian interceptor as production scales up]()
Quantum Systems details 480km/h Ukrainian interceptor as production scales up
Quantum Systems’s Ukraine-made interceptor SPYS is thought to cost approximately 10 times less than Russia's jet-powered uncrewed aerial systems and is being produced at scale.
