General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has been awarded a $14.3 million contract modification by the US to provide sustainment and maintenance support for the Italian Air Force’s MQ-9 Reaper fleet. The cost-plus fixed-fee award extends an existing Foreign Military Sales contract by exercising an option year tied to ongoing support activities, including logistics and software maintenance. Contract work will take place in the United States, Italy, and Kuwait to maintain the operational availability of the remotely piloted aircraft for ISR and related missions. Oversight is being provided by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, with all funds obligated and work expected to conclude by the end of January 2027. The MQ-9, a medium-altitude long-endurance UAS built by General Atomics, has been operated by Italy for over ten years and has evolved from an unarmed surveillance platform into a more capable system through a series of US-authorized upgrades.
