MQ-9 missile defense efforts moving toward flight tests

General Atomics will continue upgrading its MQ-9 Reaper to track and defeat ballistic missiles under a new, $134 million "advanced technology innovation" contract with the Missile Defense Agency, the Defense Department said this week.

"The contractor will complete the development, integration, and flight test of an advanced sensor into an MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle in realistic test scenarios at continental U.S. and outside the continental U.S. locations," the Aug. 20 contract announcement said. "The work will be performed in San Diego, CA. The performance period is from August 2018 through October 2021."

Last year, Inside Defense reported MDA anticipated a Reaper would enter flight tests in 2020 with Raytheon's Multi-Spectral Targeting System C sensor and a laser-tracking system. The configuration could enter operation in 2026.

MDA's advanced-innovation effort focuses on radar and communication systems, electro-optical and infrared sensors, directed-energy systems, signals and data processing, materials, engineering, modeling and simulation, advanced kill vehicles and other areas.

"The MDA ballistic missile defense layered approach includes sensors, kinetic energy systems, directed-energy systems, battle management, and [command-and-control] elements that will engage threat ballistic missiles at all ranges and throughout its trajectory," according to a February 2017 broad agency announcement. "MDA efforts are focused on making the [Ballistic Missile Defense System] more robust against the widening threats, and increasing capabilities to handle a broad range of unknown missiles, warheads, trajectories, and adversaries. MDA must have the ability to detect, track, identify and destroy ballistic missiles."

A General Atomics spokeswoman referred questions to MDA. The agency did not answer questions by press time (Aug. 23).