General Atomics unveils Wildfire, a cheaper autonomous successor to the Reaper
· TexaHub · Drones, Defence & Security, Robotics, Technology Trends
GA-ASI has pitched its clean-sheet Wildfire drone for the Air Force's Massed Modular Aircraft effort, which targets roughly $10 million per air vehicle after heavy MQ-9 losses.
What was shown
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) announced Wildfire on 10 September, describing it as a clean-sheet uncrewed aircraft that combines features of its existing drones with lower-cost components and modular design [1]. The company first showed renderings in a video posted on 9 September [4]. GA-ASI says Wildfire will be "highly autonomous and designed for collaborative operations on Day One", drawing on its FQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft work, and that its autonomy will allow dozens of the aircraft to be controlled together [1].
The company is pitching Wildfire for the Massed Modular Aircraft (MMA) programme, launched by the Air Force and the Defense Innovation Unit in July to find a successor to the MQ-9A Reaper [2]. GA-ASI claims the design meets or surpasses all of the solicitation's requirements, including a ferry range above 8,000 nautical miles, and that it can deliver aircraft "years earlier" than the fiscal 2031 timeline [1]. It also proposes civil roles such as heavy cargo delivery [1]. These are company claims about an aircraft shown only in renderings.
Why the Air Force wants it fast
Air Force officials said on 3 September they were accelerating MMA after heavy Reaper losses in operations against Iran; Air & Space Forces Magazine reported at least 45 MQ-9s lost, roughly a quarter of the fleet [3]. "We are going through them at a rate that is concerning to us," said Lt. Gen. Christopher Niemi, the service's chief modernisation officer [3]. Officials are targeting about $10 million per air vehicle, excluding mission equipment, against a Reaper that can cost up to $50 million depending on configuration [2].
Niemi also set limits on autonomy. MMA drones will have more automation than the MQ-9A, allowing one airman to operate several aircraft, but not the level planned for Collaborative Combat Aircraft: "It's not going out and autonomously finding targets and employing weapons," he said [3]. The service plans at least 180 aircraft [3].
Open questions
The War Zone noted that Wildfire's planform closely resembles the Reaper's and that it is unclear how such a design reaches the $10 million goal [5]. The outlet also observed that the renderings lack the Reaper's dorsal satellite-antenna hump; GA-ASI says Wildfire will use proliferated low-earth-orbit satellite controls already proven on its other aircraft [5] [1]. Other companies are already competing for MMA [5]. Wildfire will test whether an incumbent can deliver an attritable aircraft rather than a cheaper Reaper.
Sources
[1] GA-ASI Unveils Wildfire UAS for Military, Civil and Commercial Roles — General Atomics, 10 Sep 2026
[2] General Atomics unveils 'Wildfire' drone to replace Reaper — Breaking Defense, 10 Sep 2026
[3] Air Force Speeding Up New Low-Cost Drone Program after Heavy MQ-9 Losses Against Iran — Air & Space Forces Magazine, 4 Sep 2026
[4] General Atomics Offers First Glimpse of Wildfire Drone, Eyed as MQ-9 Successor — Air & Space Forces Magazine, 9 Sep 2026
[5] First Look At General Atomics' Wildfire, Its Successor To The MQ-9 Reaper (Updated) — The War Zone, 9 Sep 2026