Amentum has secured a landmark US Air Force contract to modernize the MQ-9 Reaper fleet, boosting the long-term capability and relevance of one of America’s most relied-upon unmanned aerial systems. Awarded under the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Maintenance Support IDIQ issued by Air Combat Command, the contract is valued at up to $995 million over five years. The program is aimed at strengthening the MQ-9’s operational resilience as the Pentagon prepares for increasingly contested environments.
Under the agreement, Amentum will deploy specialized personnel, weapons-handling teams, and aerospace ground support units across multiple US and overseas locations. These enhancements are expected to raise mission readiness rates while streamlining maintenance and sustainment operations. A key focus includes improving weapons loading procedures, supporting rapid-response missions, and ensuring the platform remains adaptable for diverse Air Force requirements.
The modernization effort will also integrate advanced capabilities such as Satellite Launch and Recovery, upgraded sensor packages, and more efficient Ground Control Station operations. These upgrades are essential as the MQ-9 transitions from counterterrorism missions to roles involving surveillance, strike coordination, and operations in highly complex airspaces. Enhanced sensing, automation, and command-and-control improvements will help the MQ-9 remain a competitive asset in evolving strategic theaters.
Amentum’s involvement coincides with broader Air Force initiatives to overhaul unmanned platforms. The service is advancing the RQ-4 Global Hawk with new reconnaissance sensors and autonomous mission-planning tools. Meanwhile, Northrop Grumman continues upgrading MQ-9 sensor suites, Boeing is pushing forward with AI-enabled collaborative combat aircraft, and Kratos Defense is refining Group 3 and Group 4 drones for rapid deployment missions. The Air Force is also testing sophisticated autonomous mission-planning and data-sharing technologies to enable UAS operations in more contested and dynamic environments.
