MQ-9 REAPER PROLIFERATED LOW EARTH ORBIT (PLEO)

The Department of the Air Force contracted General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for $38.2 million to develop and integrate a Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO) satellite system payload for the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft. This payload enhances the MQ-9's intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting (ISR-T) capabilities by enabling network extension and improved operational range for expeditionary and contested environment operations. The integration supports the broader MQ-9 modernization efforts and force readiness objectives.