Improving the Design and Performance of Reaper Aircraft to Provide a Pervasive High-Altitude Standoff Maritime Strike Capability

Due to emerging strategic demands, this article presents a comprehensive conceptual design investigation into enhancing the MQ-9A Reaper Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Motivated by the need for persistent long-range strike and surveillance capabilities, the research study proposes three primary modifications to create an aircraft titled the MQ-9X Raven. First, we replace the existing turboprop engine with the widely used Williams FJ44-4A turbofan for fuel consumption and excess power at 50,000 feet, with a range of approximately 8000 nm. Second, we update the wing design with a 79 ft wing for a greater aspect ratio and a new LRN1015 airfoil to enable high-altitude, long-endurance standoff of around 24 hours. Third and finally, we integrate Joint Strike Missiles (JSM) for enhanced lethality. The project follows a rigorous methodology beginning with a redefinition of mission requirements, aerodynamic, thrust, and stability analysis, and then verification with flight simulation, computational fluid dynamics, and wind tunnel experiments. Our analysis shows the MQ-9X Raven is highly suitable for the task of pervasive high-altitude standoff maritime strike.