Italy looks to weaponise MQ-9s
The US government is considering a request from Italy for equipment to weaponise its MQ-9 Reapers under a foreign military sale (FMS), the Defense Security Cooperation Agency has announced.
Italy wants to weaponise its Reaper fleet to enhance its ability to share in NATO and coalition operations, increase operational flexibility, and increase the survivability of its deployed forces.
The equipment requested includes AGM-114R2 Hellfire II missiles, Hellfire II M36-E8 Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs), and GBU-12 Laser Guided Bombs.
GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs); Hellfire M34 Dummy Missiles; GBU-49 Enhanced Laser Guided Bombs; GBU-54 Laser JDAMs; bomb racks; MQ-9 weaponisation kits and installation; and M-299 launchers are also included in the request.
If it goes ahead, the FMS will include AN/AWM-103 test suites, training, parts and equipment, technical assistance and logistics support.
The estimated cost of the package is valued at $129.6 million.
General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems will act as prime contractor for the sale if cleared.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Cummings Aerospace showcases Hellhound loitering munition designed for US Army’s LASSO programme (video)]()
Cummings Aerospace showcases Hellhound loitering munition designed for US Army’s LASSO programme (video)
Cummings Aerospace presented its turbojet-powered Hellhound loitering munition at SOF Week 2025, offering a man-portable solution aligned with the US Army’s LASSO requirements.
-
![SOF Week 2025: PDW unveils attritable FPV drone for SOF operations at scale]()
SOF Week 2025: PDW unveils attritable FPV drone for SOF operations at scale
PDW has revealed its Attritable Multirotor First Person View drone at SOF Week 2025, offering special operations forces a low-cost, rapidly deployable platform for strike and ISR missions, inspired by battlefield lessons from Ukraine.
-
![SOF Week 2025: Teledyne FLIR white paper provides guidance on reusable loitering munitions]()
SOF Week 2025: Teledyne FLIR white paper provides guidance on reusable loitering munitions
Teledyne FLIR is highlighting the emerging requirements for 'recoverable and re-usable' loitering munitions across the contemporary operating environment during this week’s SOF Week conference in Tampa, Florida.
-
![SOF Week 2025: Kraken Technology group debuts K3 Scout USV in North America]()
SOF Week 2025: Kraken Technology group debuts K3 Scout USV in North America
High-performance maritime industry player Kraken Technology Group, based in the UK, has used the SOF Week conference in Tampa, Florida this week to debut its K3 Scout uncrewed surface vessel (USV) to the North American market.
-
![Palladyne AI and Red Cat to demonstrate capabilities for autonomous drone swarms to the US military]()
Palladyne AI and Red Cat to demonstrate capabilities for autonomous drone swarms to the US military
Red Cat and Palladyne AI recently conducted a cross-platform collaborative flight involving three diverse heterogeneous drones.
-
![Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures]()
Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has driven another stage of evolution for drones and the counter measures to defend against them.
