General Atomics wins Predator Block 5 contract

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, NM – APRIL 25: In this handout provided by the U.S. Air Force, an MQ-9 Reaper is seen on April 25, 2013 at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. MQ-9 Reapers can be airborne for more than 16 hours, and the MQ-1 Predator can be airborne for approximately 24 hours. Average flights at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., range from seven to 11 hours while six to eight crews cycle through. (Photo by Andrew Lee/U.S. Air Force via Getty Images)

General Atomics has been awarded a $53.8 million Air Force contract for the MQ-9 Reaper Block 5.

The contract calls for General Atomics to “provide the integration and initial fielding of new capabilities into the MQ-9 Block 5 aircraft,” according to the Department of Defense contract announcement. The new capabilities were not specified, though the Block 5 is supposed to feature a larger, gross takeoff weight, more secure communications, and more electrical power.

The work is scheduled to be completed by March 2019.