This unmanned aircraft measures roughly 25 meters from tip to tail and weighs over four tons. It is a remotely piloted system developed by the American firm General Atomics. Powered by a turboprop engine, it can operate at altitudes up to 6,000 meters and maintain mission durations near 27 hours. The MQ-9 Reaper, also known as Predator B, carries significantly more payload than its predecessor, enabling the deployment of guided missiles or precision-guided bombs. These platforms can be equipped with weapons such as Hellfire II missiles or laser-guided munitions to suit diverse operational needs.
In 2015, Spain acquired four of these unmanned systems for a total expenditure of 226 million euros, equivalent to about 56 million euros per aircraft.
MQ-9 Reaper: This is the American aircraft cited in connection with an incident involving Russia in the Black Sea.
warns NATO allies
The MQ-9 Reaper is a combat aircraft equipped with air-to-ground weapons. Its destruction in unclear circumstances sparked alarm among alliance members. NATO has accused Russia of unsafe maneuvers with a fighter in the Black Sea, warning that such behavior could lead to miscalculation and unintended escalation. In the wake of the incident, the Atlantic Alliance briefed its members on what occurred, noting that Russian warplanes maneuvered near international waters and that operations in the Black Sea subsequently involved US forces taking action against a drone flying over the region.
Officials described the Russian maneuvers as unsafe and unprofessional, with demands that such actions stop. The incident prompted the United States to respond in international airspace, a decision described by observers as a necessary step to safeguard flight safety and regional stability.
The event occurred around 07:03 local time while the drone was conducting a routine operation, according to a statement from the United States European Command. The drone was intercepted and shot down, a development described by U.S. officials as part of a pattern of risky interactions between Russian aircraft and Allied forces in international airspace.
General James Hecker, commander of the United States Air Forces in Europe and Africa, stressed that the United States and its allies would continue to operate in international airspace. He urged Russian pilots to maintain professional and safe conduct, noting that recent actions by some Russian pilots have repeated dangerous maneuvers when near U.S. or allied aircraft in international airspace, including over the Black Sea.