MQ-9 Reaper takes off from a highway for the first time
A week ago, the US hosted the Agile Chariot exercise, during which the US military practiced the takeoff and landing of an MQ-9 Reaper outside the airfield. The drone used a highway as a GDP.
To conduct the unusual experiment, the US Army used sections of highways 287 and 789. They are located in the state of Wyoming. The essence of the Agile Chariot exercise was to deploy an advanced air base, set up security posts, receive aircraft, refuel them, maintain them, and ensure takeoff. In addition to the MQ-9 Reaper, the exercise involved MC-130J Commando II and A-10 aircraft.
According to Defense Express, the Pentagon is actually considering the possibility of providing the Ukrainian Armed Forces with Reaper drones. With air-to-air missiles on board, the Reapers could become part of a tiered air defense system.
Western allies are in no hurry to provide Ukraine with combat aircraft. The most common reason for refusal is the lack of appropriate infrastructure. An experiment conducted in the United States showed that the MQ-9 Reaper does not need it. An ordinary highway is enough for takeoff and landing.
