Shea Levin — text status

The U.S. Air Force is accelerating efforts to replace its MQ-9A Reaper drones after losing at least 45, roughly a quarter of the Pentagon’s inventory, during combat operations against Iran since February. The Air Force is now pushing ahead with its Massed Modular Aircraft program, aimed at producing a cheaper, more expendable drone costing around $10 million apiece. Launched in July, the program is expected to eventually produce at least 180 aircraft, with a prototype targeted within a year and large-scale fielding within three years.