House Appropriations Defense Panel Wants 'MQ-Next' Before 2030

摘要

The House Appropriations Committee's defense panel (HAC-D) is recommending the reversal of the U.S. Air Force's proposed end in fiscal 2021 of the General Atomics' MQ-9 Reaper production line and the acceleration before 2030 of the fielding of a to-be-determined follow-on drone, "MQ-Next." The panel's fiscal 2021 defense appropriations bill would fund 16 MQ-9s for $344 million. "The Air Force's fiscal year 2021 budget request proposes to terminate production of MQ-9 aircraft, citing an excess of aircraft compared to projected operational requirements," according to report language on the bill. "The committee does not accept this proposal and recommends additional funding for 16 MQ-9 aircraft. The committee is concerned that the Air Force has reached this decision without adequate planning for a follow-on system." On June 3, the Air Force released a request for information to begin searching for next-generation unmanned aerial vehicles that could eventually replace the MQ-9 Reaper. Responses are due by July 15.