Create a free starter account, or log in.

Get access to four free articles per month, as well as our Decisive Edge Newsletters and Daily News Bulletin.

Email Address

Password

Forgot your password? Reset by clicking here

Create a Password

[[ req.met ? '✓' : '•' ]] [[ req.text ]]

Re-enter Password

Passwords do not match

First Name

Last Name

Country

Confirm your account

Please enter the four-digit pin below that has been emailed to you.

Didn't receive the pin yet?

This pin expires in 20 minutes.

[[ error ]]

By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Stay informed with Shephard's award-winning journalism. Unlock unlimited access and in-depth analysis with a corporate or individual subscription.

Explore your options here

MQ-9A Reaper provides overwatch for SOF freefall training

18th February 2022 - 12:00 GMT | by Shephard News Team

RSS

A soldier in the 7th Special Forces Group leaps from the back of an aircraft. (Photo: US Army/Capt Jacqueline Whitt)

US Army SOF freefall parachute training was supported for the first time by overwatch from an MQ-9A Reaper UAS.

A General Atomics-owned MQ-9A Reaper supported recent military freefall parachuting exercises conducted by US Army SOF, in a novel use for the uncrewed aircraft.

The exercises took place on 20-21 January and 27-28 January but General Atomics only revealed its involvement on 17 February.

The MQ-9 was deployed from Yuma Proving Ground. General Atomics provided a live video stream from the UAS to soldiers and airmen at Eglin AFB, which allowed remote monitoring of the freefall exercises by the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

In addition to the overwatch function for the SOF personnel, General Atomics stated that the exercise provided an opportunity its aircrews to train on ‘real-world’ maneouvres and tactics ‘that will allow them to better support future DoD operations’.

MQ-9A Reaper