Italy cleared for newbuild Block 5 Reaper UASs

With five MQ-9A Reapers already in service and being upgraded to the Block 5 configuration, Italy has been approved for a further six at the same standard. (General Atomics Aeronautical Systems)

The US government has approved the sale of newbuild Block 5 versions of the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9A Reaper unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to Italy, adding to those already in service that are being upgraded to the same standard.

Announced by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 15 August, the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) approval covers six Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the latest Block 5 configuration, as well as related equipment, training, and support for an estimated USD738 million. Weapons were not listed in the approval, although the Reapers will be equipped with the Lynx AN/APY-8 Block 20A synthetic aperture radar (SAR) with maritime wide area surveillance (MWAS) capability.

“The proposed sale will improve Italy's capability to meet current and future threats by expanding and improving the Italian Air Force's MQ-9 fleet and advancing US and NATO policy goals of security and interoperability,” the DSCA said.

The Block 5 improves on earlier versions of the Reaper in that it provides a significant increase in electrical power generation, auto take-off and landing capability with improved landing gear and datalinks, and features the latest version of the GA-ASI Lynx multimode radar.

The Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana: AMI) has previously received six MQ-9A Reaper unmanned aircraft, one of which was lost over Libya in November 2019. The service is now retrofitting the remaining five to the Block 5 standard, for a final fleet of 11 air vehicles.

The type is operated by the AMI's 32° Stormo (Wing) based at Amendola in southern Italy.