U.S. Marine Corps Reaches Milestone in Training 'Reaper' Drone Pilots

Thursday - January 4 2024, 06:13 UTC - 10 months ago

As part of an effort to fill out new squadrons with uncrewed systems, the United States Marine Corps has reached a critical milestone of 100 trained pilots for its General Atomics MQ-9 "Reaper" drones. This milestone will allow the Corps to extend its drone-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and equip new squadrons with unmanned systems. To continue expanding their drone program, the Corps plans to set up the MQ-9A Fleet Replacement Squadron in Cherry Point, North Carolina.

As part of an effort to fill out new squadrons with uncrewed systems, the United States Marine Corps has reached a critical milestone of 100 trained pilots for its General Atomics MQ-9 "Reaper" drones. They are aiming to extend the Corps' drone-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. This is a significant milestone for the Corps as it seeks to equip new squadrons with unmanned systems to expand the range and reconnaissance capabilities of its drone program .

A critical training milestoneIn 2018, the Corps leased the MQ-9 "Reaper," and they finally purchased the drones in 2020. The service created the Reaper military occupational speciality, 7318, in the same year. In the 2022 aviation plan, the Corps mentioned that they have only trained 38 pilots out of the 68 they need. It's important to note that the pilots continue to be commissioned officers even though the U .

S. Air Force (USAF) utilizes warrant officer drone pilots. The "Reaper" drone was introduced to the U.S. Air Force in 2007 and has been extensively used in various operations around the world, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As of 2021, the Air Force reportedly operates over 300 "Reapers." The "Reaper" is the first drone the Corps uses that falls into the "Group 5" category. This classification was developed by the U .

S. Department of Defense (DoD) and categorized unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into "Groups" based on their size and capability. This system replaced the service branches' separate categorization schemes in 2011. "Group 3," like the U.S. Marines' RQ-21A "Blackjack," typically operates at altitudes below 18,000 feet (5,486 meters) and weighs between 55 pounds (25 kg) and 1,320 pounds (599 kg). "Group 5" drones, on the other hand, are heavier than 1,320 pounds (599 kg) and operate at higher altitudes than 18,000 feet (5,486 meters) .

As reported by Defense News, the "Reaper" is currently operated by three units: VMU-1, located in Yuma, Arizona; UX-24, stationed at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland; and VMU-3, based at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. In 2018, VMU-1 became the first operational squadron to use the Reaper for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support in the U.S. Central Command .

UX-24 is an aviation testing unit, and VMU-3 attained initial operational capability in August. According to Marine Corps Times, the VMU-3 "Phantoms" provide aerial reconnaissance for the third Marine Littoral Regiment. Drone squadrons support "a wide range of operations such as coastal and border surveillance, weapons tracking, embargo enforcement, humanitarian/disaster assistance, support of peacekeeping and counter-narcotic operations," explained Marine spokesman Major Jordan Fox in March 2023 .

According to Captain Alyssa Myers, the Marine Corps Times has reported that the Marines plan to establish the MQ-9A Fleet Replacement Squadron in Cherry Point, North Carolina. More pilots are still neededIn January 2023, former Commander of Marine Corps Forces Pacific Major General Mark Wise noted that the Corps aims to train 100 pilots for "Reapers" by that year end.