U.S. Air Force Targets 2028 MMA Strike Drone Prototypes to Replace MQ-9 Reapers in Combat Missions.

The U.S. Air Force plans to deploy operational prototypes of its Massed Modular Aircraft (MMA) autonomous drones to replace the MQ-9 Reaper in long-range reconnaissance and strike missions. Designed for lower-cost production and large-scale deployment, these aircraft could let U.S. forces sustain surveillance and precision strikes in contested airspace where conventional drones face growing threats from enemy air defenses.

A U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper assigned to the 119th Wing takes off during Exercise Southern Strike 2021, as the service plans to introduce operational prototypes of its MMA replacement drones in 2028. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The U.S. objective is to establish a fleet of several hundred autonomous drones that can operate in contested military environments. The schedule calls for an initial operational capability in 2028, followed by the start of large-scale production in 2029. Eventually, these aircraft are expected to complement and gradually assume some of the missions currently carried out by MQ-9 Reapers, whose surveillance and attack capabilities remain central to U.S. air operations.

During a presentation on October 14, 2026, at the AUSA exhibition in Washington, as part of a conference dedicated to Project Agincourt, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink outlined the next stages of the MMA program. According to objectives presented by U.S. officials, the Air Force intends to introduce approximately 100 aircraft by 2029 before expanding the fleet to 500 drones by 2032. Meink also confirmed that contracts associated with the system's development had recently been awarded, although he did not identify the recipients or disclose their values.

Seven companies had previously been identified as participants in the competition: Anduril, Chaos Industries, General Atomics, Grid Aero, Otto Aerospace, Shield AI, and Swarm Aero. The program is being conducted with support from the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), a Pentagon organization responsible for facilitating the integration of commercially developed technologies into U.S. military capabilities. This approach is intended to allow the Air Force to evaluate different industrial solutions and shorten the transition from prototype development to serial production.

Related News: US Air Force shortlists seven companies to replace MQ-9 Reaper with 500 new MMA combat drones

The MMA follows an acquisition strategy that differs from traditional military drone programs. Rather than relying exclusively on sophisticated aircraft manufactured in limited quantities, the U.S. Air Force is seeking a relatively inexpensive autonomous system that can be produced rapidly and deployed in large numbers. The target price is approximately $10 million per aircraft, excluding weapons, sensors, and mission equipment. By comparison, the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), primarily intended to accompany crewed fighter aircraft during combat missions, has a target unit cost of approximately $20 million.

The requirements focus on range, payload capacity, and adaptability to different missions. Future MMA aircraft are expected to achieve a flight range of approximately 6,400 kilometers, nearly twice the distance envisioned for the CCA. They are also intended to carry substantial military payloads, although no definitive sensor or weapons configuration has been disclosed. Turboprop propulsion is among the solutions under consideration, prioritizing endurance and efficiency over long distances rather than maximum speed.

he program also includes an open architecture designed to accommodate different reconnaissance equipment, detection systems, and weapons without requiring extensive modifications to the aircraft's basic design. This modular approach could allow drones to be configured for armed surveillance, intelligence gathering, or strike missions. Unlike the MQ-9 Reaper, initially developed as a remotely piloted aircraft, the MMA is expected to incorporate autonomous functions that reduce the need for human intervention during certain phases of flight and mission execution.

The introduction of MMA aircraft could change how the U.S. military employs drones in areas protected by modern air defense systems. A fleet comprising several hundred aircraft would allow commanders to distribute reconnaissance assets across multiple sectors, maintain persistent surveillance, and conduct strikes without relying exclusively on more expensive aircraft. The planned range is particularly relevant in the Pacific, where the distances between air bases and operational areas create substantial logistical constraints. A larger inventory would also provide greater flexibility in absorbing potential losses in heavily defended environments.

This development also addresses the operational limitations of medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) drones against modern air defense networks. The MQ-9 Reaper remains an important asset for intelligence collection and precision strikes, but its relatively low speed and lack of advanced stealth characteristics restrict its employment in highly contested airspace. The MMA seeks to address these vulnerabilities through a combination of lower costs, autonomous capabilities, and deployment in greater numbers. Its development is proceeding alongside the FQ-42A Vengeance and FQ-44A Fury programs, which address different requirements within the future U.S. combat aviation fleet.

The announced schedule nevertheless presents an industrial challenge. Moving from operational prototypes in 2028 to large-scale production in 2029 requires a rapid manufacturing expansion, adapted evaluation procedures, and sufficient funding. Meink has emphasized the importance of incorporating manufacturing requirements from the initial design stages. The objective is to establish an industrial production capacity capable of delivering several hundred aircraft within a few years while keeping costs compatible with large-scale procurement.

The MMA program comes as U.S. military operations against Iran have exposed the vulnerability of MQ-9 Reapers to modern air defenses. According to a Congressional Research Service report published on October 5, 2026, at least 45 Reaper drones were reportedly lost since the beginning of Operation Epic Fury in February, with some shot down by Iranian air defenses and others destroyed under different operational circumstances. These losses illustrate the limitations of relying on relatively expensive aircraft whose replacement requires considerable investment. By prioritizing lower-cost autonomous drones manufactured in large quantities, the U.S. Air Force aims to maintain its reconnaissance and strike capabilities despite the attrition encountered in high-intensity conflicts. A fleet of 500 MMA aircraft by 2032 could strengthen the ability of the United States to sustain surveillance and strike operations across multiple theaters.

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Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests include security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.