France Upgrades to MQ-9 Reaper Block 5 ER UAS, Retiring Block 1 Fleet

France has officially transitioned from the MQ-9 Reaper Block 1 to the more advanced MQ-9 Reaper Block 5 Extended-Range (ER) unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The French Air and Space Force (AAE) made the announcement on January 21, marking the end of the Reaper Block 1’s operational service at Cognac-Chateaubernard Air Base after 11 years.

The shift to the Block 5 ER represents a significant upgrade in capability for France’s unmanned aerial fleet. The new models, which began delivery in 2020, offer enhanced endurance and range over their predecessors. While the Block 1 managed up to 24 hours of flight time with a range of 1,850 km, the Block 5 ER extends this to 30 hours and a range of 2,592 km, thanks to features like wingborne fuel pods, reinforced landing gear, winglets, and a four-bladed propeller.

France initially operated six Reaper Block 1 UAVs, which were primarily used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions without armament. In contrast, the Block 5 ER UAVs come equipped for combat, carrying GBU-12/49 Paveway precision-guided bombs and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, alongside an electronic intelligence gathering pod acquired through Foreign Military Sales (FMS).

This upgrade not only increases France’s operational reach and duration in the air but also enhances its military capabilities with the addition of strike options, aligning with modern combat requirements.