Marines first operational flight of MQ-9A Reaper in Middle East

On March 20, U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) pilots and sensor operators from Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1 (VMU-1) conducted their first operational flight of an MQ-9A Reaper Unmanned Aircraft System in the Middle East. The multi-sensor reconnaissance-equipped MQ-9A produced by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has provided crucial support to USMC's forward operations on the battlefield.

With the oversight of the GA-ASI team, the VMU-1 "Watchdog" crews took control of a Company Owned/Company Operated MQ-9A supporting forward deployed Marines.

VMU-1 leases MQ-9A Reaper aircraft to fulfill its urgent needs request for persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in Afghanistan.

Contractor intelligence aircraft needed for Marine Corps training exercises

The Regional Contracting Office-MCI WEST, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., has a requirement to provide a manned, fixed-wing propeller driven aircraft with intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to support semi-annual three-day training exercises for Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron-1 (MAWTS-1), Marine Corp Air Station, Yuma, Ariz.

The service requested is to provide real-time electro-optical and infrared sensor full-motion video while integrating with close air support aircraft to locate and simulate attacking opposing forces, simulated by live role-players. The aircraft must have capability of five hours on station time at an altitude of 24,000 feet.

“The intent of this effort is to provide familiarization of flight characteristics, capabilities and limitations of ISR aircraft for MAWTS-1 instructors and prospective instructors,” Marine Corps officials said in contract documents released Wednesday. “This is a pre-solicitation notice that a solicitation is scheduled to be released on or around March 24.”