General Atomics unveils Wildfire drone as lower-cost MQ-9 complement

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has unveiled Wildfire, a new unmanned drone meant as a cost-effective, mass-producible complement to systems such as the MQ-9B. The aircraft is designed primarily for reconnaissance and strike missions. The manufacturer also lists civilian and commercial applications, including cargo transport.

Wildfire is expected to achieve a ferry range of more than 8,000 nautical miles, approximately 14,800 kilometres, and can carry two long-range anti-ship missiles simultaneously. General Atomics is offering the drone in the US Air Force competition for a potential successor to the MQ-9A Reaper.