France’s Air and Space Force is advancing the MQ-9 Reaper’s operational role by developing it into an airborne counter-drone interceptor. In a recent live-fire trial at the Île du Levant range, the UAV successfully destroyed a target resembling a Banshee-type drone with a HELLFIRE missile.
The upgrade is driven by operational initiatives from the 33rd Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Attack Wing (ESRA), working under the CEAM Weapons School program to expand the platform’s combat capabilities.
