DAYTON, Ohio — The Air Force and the Defense Innovation Unit plan to start the concept refinement phase of its MQ-9A Reaper replacement effort during the first quarter of fiscal 2027, service officials said Monday.
The Air Force wants to bring multiple companies into the next stage of the Massed Modular Aircraft (MMA) program, Col. John Dayton, portfolio acquisition executive for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and special operations forces, told reporters Monday. During that phase, both traditional and non-traditional vendors will conduct early analysis that will help the service shape its design, requirements and cost of the future unmanned aerial vehicle.
“Part of the approach we’re taking, where we’re trying to engage with industry, engage with non-traditionals with a very broad requirement set so we capture and understand what industry can provide and what’s in the realm of possible in that trade space,” Dayton said during a media roundtable at the Air Force Life Cycle Industry Days…