Article

2006-09-15 Science & Technology

'Reaper' moniker given to MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle

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Posted by Nimble Spemble 2006-09-15 08:20|| E-Mail|| Front Page|| [11136 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 I wonder if the AF is intentionally not mounting machine guns and cannon on these UAVs, because it would make an uncomfortable comparison with the Warthog.

Posted by Anonymoose 2006-09-15 11:14|| 2006-09-15 11:14|| Front Page Top

#2 I think the Phalanx gun system would be a better "bolt on" for a UAV.

Posted by Bright Pebbles in Blairistan 2006-09-15 11:21|| 2006-09-15 11:21|| Front Page Top

#3 The AF should call it the Grim Reaper. That will get folks really a-buzzin'.

Posted by Alaska Paul">Alaska Paul 2006-09-15 11:25|| 2006-09-15 11:25|| Front Page Top

#4 Hellfires weigh about 100 lbs. GAU-8 weighs 600 lbs without ammo. I also wonder if the firing of a GAU-8 would stall a Reaper.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2006-09-15 11:29|| 2006-09-15 11:29|| Front Page Top

#5 Stall? I'll bet it would make it go backwards.

Posted by 6 2006-09-15 14:16|| 2006-09-15 14:16|| Front Page Top

#6 Hey, Jihadists...

All [your] times have come
Here but now they're gone
Seasons don't fear the reaper
Nor do the wind, the sun or the rain
[You] can be like they are

Posted by eLarson 2006-09-15 14:41|| http://larsonian.blogspot.com]">[http://larsonian.blogspot.com] 2006-09-15 14:41|| Front Page Top

#7 A large verrry slow aircraft coming in low is a fine target for anything from an Ak47 and up. Even worse, with satellite linked remote pilots, there is a 1/2 second delay to react to any control events. Not something you want during a strafing run.

Posted by ed 2006-09-15 14:46|| 2006-09-15 14:46|| Front Page Top

#8 Aw c'mon eLarson, filk it. We already know the real words.

Posted by mcsegeek1 2006-09-15 15:25|| 2006-09-15 15:25|| Front Page Top

#9 The AF should call it the Grim Reaper.

You're close, Alaska Paul. This new weapon was first mentioned in a fairy tale about the Grimm Reaper. In fact, I used to be addicted to fairy tales ...

Wait for it ...

Once upon a time.

Posted by Zenster 2006-09-15 20:26|| 2006-09-15 20:26|| Front Page Top

#10 If my experience with the shadow uavs is anything to go by, 8-10 hellfires is more than adequate for a 24-48 hour long flight. Remember, each platform has to land to refuel occasionaly.

If there a truly target rich environment, well, the A-10s Of Doom, and the AC-130s Of Doom will show up before uav ammo becomes an issue.

The busyest night saw a whole 4 shootable targets. In a dense AO with lots of non-shootable womyn, chilluns, kittens, puppies and baby duckies(TM) all around.

I can't remember how many nights were dry holes with nothing to see. Ick.

Posted by N guard 2006-09-15 20:41|| 2006-09-15 20:41|| Front Page Top

#11 Suspect the terrs will refer to it as the grim reaper

Posted by Captain America 2006-09-15 22:53|| 2006-09-15 22:53|| Front Page Top

#12 The busyest night saw a whole 4 shootable targets. In a dense AO with lots of non-shootable womyn, chilluns, kittens, puppies and baby duckies(TM) all around.

What? No fluffy bunnies?

Posted by FOTSGreg">FOTSGreg 2006-09-15 23:06|| www.fire-on-the-suns.com]">[www.fire-on-the-suns.com] 2006-09-15 23:06|| Front Page Top

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