Air Force accelerates MQ-9 replacement after heavy wartime attrition The U.S. Air Force is moving faster on the Massed Modular Aircraft program after losing 45 MQ-9A Reapers in Operation Epic Fury, roughly a quarter of the fleet by mid-August. Officials now want at least 180 lower-cost aircraft at about $10 million per air vehicle

https://defensescoop.com/2026/09/04/air-force-accelerate-mq-9-reaper-drone-replacement-after-combat-losses/