General Atomics’ new Wildfire drone can fly over 9,200 miles with 2 anti-ship missiles

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has formally unveiled its new Wildfire unmanned aircraft, positioning the clean-sheet drone as a faster and more affordable successor to the MQ-9A Reaper. The company says Wildfire was designed to meet the Pentagon’s requirements for the emerging Massed Modular Aircraft (MMA) program while supporting long-endurance missions and future civil applications. According to GA-ASI, Wildfire can perform reconnaissance and strike missions traditionally handled by the Reaper. The company also sees potential uses outside combat, including commercial cargo transport, supported by its larger payload capacity and “stronger hardpoints.” “This is exactly the right design for high-demand missions and cost-conscious customers,” GA-ASI President David Alexander said in a press release. “Our tailor-designed, attrition-tolerant Wildfire balances the high capability our aircraft are known for with huge flexibility and great scalability. There’s never been anything like it before.” Built for the Pentagon’s new drone program The Wildfire is being proposed for the Massed Modular Aircraft program, launched by the U.S. Air Force and Defense Innovation Unit in July. The initiative seeks a successor to the MQ-9 Reaper, with officials pushing for an aircraft that costs less and can be used in greater numbers. Lt. Gen. Christopher Niemi, the Air Force’s chief modernization officer, recently said the program was accelerated after “concerning” Reaper losses during combat operations against Iran. The effort aims is field a more affordable and attritable unmanned aircraft. An MQ-9 can cost as much as $50 million depending on its configuration. Production of the aircraft ended last year, although the upgraded MQ-9B SkyGuardian remains in production. Wildfire targets longer range and heavier loads The Pentagon wants the MMA aircraft to cost roughly $10 million each, excluding mission equipment. Its solicitation calls for an aircraft capable of self-deploying 8,000 nautical miles (9,206 miles), while carrying at least 2,800 pounds of payload. The firm says Wildfire “meets or surpasses all requirements” in the solicitation. The company claims the aircraft can exceed 8,000 nautical miles of ferry range and carry two Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles at the same time over meaningful combat distances. The aircraft can also accommodate different configurations of “munitions, launched effects, sensors or other payloads,” according to the company. Designed for faster production The Air Force initially set a fiscal 2031 target for the MMA program, with 20 mission-ready aircraft serving as the benchmark. GA-ASI says Wildfire could enter service years ahead of that schedule. The company also claims it can produce more than twice as many aircraft within the same timeframe. That approach reflects the Air Force’s growing focus on fielding more lower-cost unmanned systems. Wildfire is also designed for a highly autonomous operating model. GA-ASI says the aircraft will support collaborative operations from the beginning, allowing it to work alongside other systems. A modular approach to future upgrades The MMA program is expected to follow a model similar to the Collaborative Combat Aircraft effort, which uses open architectures and successive design increments. GA-ASI and Anduril were recently selected for production deals under that program. Niemi has said the MMA aircraft is unlikely to rely on “cutting-edge ” technology. He expects the design to “probably” use a turboprop engine paired with “a long aspect wing.” GA-ASI’s Wildfire now enters a competition focused on cost, production speed, range, payload capacity, and adaptability as the Air Force seeks a new generation of attritable aircraft. Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.A versatile writer, Sujita has worked with Mashable Middle East and News Daily 24. When she isn't writing, you can find her glued to the latest web series and movies.