The US Air Force is looking to develop a more affordable unmanned aircraft that could eventually take over many of the roles currently performed by the MQ-9 Reaper. The proposed Massed Modular Aircraft is being designed around an approximate $10 million air-vehicle price, with plans reportedly calling for at least 180 platforms. The concept has gained importance following heavy Reaper losses in recent combat operations. Around 45 MQ-9 aircraft were reportedly lost during the Iran war, accounting for approximately 25% of the fleet and representing losses worth more than $1 billion. Air Force officials have described the attrition rate as a serious concern. Since MQ-9 production ended in 2025, developing a successor has become an increasingly important requirement. The MMA would be expected to conduct a range of missions associated with the Reaper, including long-duration ISR, target acquisition and strike operations. Its central feature would be a significantly lower acquisition cost. By deploying large numbers of relatively inexpensive aircraft, the Air Force could adopt a massed operational model in which losses are more manageable. Even if an adversary destroyed several aircraft during a mission, enough surviving platforms could remain available to complete the required task. It is important, however, to distinguish the MMA’s proposed $10 million figure from the cost of a fully mission-equipped aircraft. The target price applies primarily to the air vehicle, while sensors, communications equipment, weapons and other mission systems would increase the overall procurement cost. By comparison, MQ-9A aircraft can fall in the $30–50 million range depending on configuration and equipment. The MMA programme therefore reflects a broader change in thinking about unmanned warfare: instead of relying exclusively on expensive and highly capable platforms, the Air Force is considering whether large numbers of cheaper aircraft can provide greater resilience in contested environments.
