Amentum has secured a major US Air Force contract to modernize the MQ-9 Reaper fleet, reinforcing the strategic edge of American unmanned aerial systems.
Awarded under the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Maintenance Support IDIQ by the Air Combat Command, the contract carries a maximum value of $995 million over five years.
The company will provide specialized personnel, weapons loading strategies, and aerospace ground support to enhance MQ-9 operational readiness at multiple sites in the US and abroad.
The program emphasizes advanced capabilities such as Satellite Launch and Recovery, improved sensors, and streamlined ground control operations to ensure the MQ-9 continues to operate effectively in complex environments.
Modernizing US Unmanned Systems
Amentum’s work on the MQ-9 follows a series of US Air Force initiatives to upgrade unmanned platforms.
The service has previously invested in expanding the RQ-4 Global Hawk fleet with advanced sensors and autonomous mission planning, while Northrop Grumman has received contracts to enhance MQ-9 sensor suites and endurance.
Boeing has been developing collaborative unmanned wingman programs, integrating AI-driven drones with manned fighters, and Kratos Defense is modernizing smaller Group 3 and Group 4 UAS for rapid deployment and battlefield interoperability.
In addition, the air force has been experimenting with advanced autonomous mission planning and data-sharing capabilities, allowing unmanned systems to operate in more complex and contested environments.
