The United States Marine Corps trained its 100th MQ-9 Reaper drone pilot. The milestone marks the latest shift under the Corps’ Force Design 2030 plan, which aims to reoptimize the branch for a potential dust-up with China.
It was only in 2020 that the Corps even created a Reaper occupational specialty. The 2022 training numbers fell short of expectations too. So, the fact there are now 100 Marine officers trained to fly Reapers is a feat worth mentioning.
After leasing a few to make sure they’d work for the Corps, the USMC bought its first Reapers in 2020. The MQ-9 represents the first Group 5 drone operated by the Corps. Drone categories break down the craft by size and operational limits. Group 5 drones weigh more than 1,320 pounds and fly at altitudes higher than 18,000 feet.
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