On August 15, 2024, the U.S. State Department approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Italy. This sale includes six MQ-9 Block 5 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and a comprehensive package of associated military systems and equipment, with the total estimated cost being $738 million. The Block 5 variant can carry various munitions, such as GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, and can conduct missions lasting over 16 hours. Read full defense news at this link...
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| The MQ-9 Reaper Block 5 variant took off in Southwest Asia on June 23, 2017, for its first combat flight in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. (Picture source: US DoD) |