The U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) is planning to equip drones like the MQ-9 Reaper with small cruise missiles (SCM). If successful, this would transform these drones into long-range strike platforms, similar to modern fighter aircraft.
At the Global SOF Foundation’s SOF Week event, AFSOC Commander Lt. Gen. Michael Conley said SCMs could give aircraft like the MQ-9 Reaper and OA-1K Skyraider II the ability to hit targets up to 600 miles away.
“We are actively testing small cruise missiles right now. We’ve done two demonstrations already internally so there’s work to be done. I wouldn’t say we’re there yet, but we are working closely with that capability,” Conley said.
His comments follow an announcement by U.S. defense contractor Leidos on the successful guided flight test of its SCM, known as Black Arrow, launched from a U.S. Air Force AC-130J Ghostrider gunship.
The AFSOC Commander said the weaponry is needed as U.S. adversaries such as China and the Houthis in Yemen are quickly developing new strategies and tools to counter larger forces.
“We’re looking closely at capabilities that the [People’s Republic of China] and Russia are developing,” he said. “Over time, that technology proliferates. It’s shared with other countries that we operate in or around.”
A Leidos official told Defense One that equipping drones with cruise missiles is no simple task as the weapons must be integrated with the drone’s software and battle management systems. Extensive safety reviews, live testing on military ranges, and coordination with the Pentagon further complicate the process.
“Integrating [a cruise missile] on an operational aircraft, with the battle management system and testing on a government range with an AFSOC crew, is a far cry from testing on a leased aircraft for a demo. Many safety reviews and approvals are required,” a Leidos official said.
The official further noted: “The Black Arrow on an MQ-9 would be a logical progression and provide substantial capability enhancement.”
Meanwhile, in addition to integrating cruise missiles on drones, AFSOC is also exploring how artificial intelligence can help crews save time and respond faster in missions.
