AFRICOM has been looking for a replacement for its legacy Reaper MQ-9 drones.
As the venerable MQ-9 Reaper drone ages, the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) will require new long-range, long-endurance UAVs for ISR missions in a complex geopolitical environment.
AFRICOM officials have highlighted the need to obtain a replacement for its General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the near future.
At the Emerging Technologies for Defense conference in Washington, DC, earlier this month, AFRICOM officials said the new drones were needed to conduct long-range and long-endurance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) across the command’s area of responsibilities, which includes all African countries except for Egypt.
Heidi Shyu, undersecretary of defense for research and engineering at the US Department of Defense (DoD), said at a media roundtable on 7 August to Shephard Media, about her office’s projects to assist AFRICOM’s aerial ISR requirements.
“We are funding investments into long-endurance UAVs,” she said. “When I say long-endurance UAVs, [I mean] well beyond three days.”
Shyu noted that emerging UAV technologies were on the horizon, stating that “last summer, we tested one UAV, which loitered for seven-to-eight days”, and “we are also working with companies to develop solar-powered, stratospheric UAVs” with solar cells on the wings. The platform “can stay up there for 30 to 60 days”, she remarked. The DOD official noted that the new technologies would address AFRICOM’s requirements.
They were referring to the Skydweller solar-powered long-range aircraft which AFRICOM intents to use for intelligence mission to counter terror activities in the continent. Skydweller is modelled after the Solar Impulse 2 that flew around the world in 2015 and 2016 using solar power, but will be pilotless.
“AFRICOM, CENTCOM, EUCOM are all looking for solutions,” Shyu said, confirmed that a “joint urgent operational need (JUON) may come from either AFRICOM or CENTCOM” in the future.
During the DC conference, two AFRICOM officials engaged in further discussions about the command’s requirement for new ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) UAVs. Paul Landauer, the director of resources and assessments (J8) for AFRICOM, highlighted the challenges arising from deteriorating relations between Washington and certain African governments, particularly related to overflight restrictions in sovereign countries.
Fred Gregory, chief of the strategic capabilities division for AFRICOM, echoed Landauer’s sentiments, emphasizing the critical need for long-dwell, long-endurance ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) aircraft. He highlighted the completion of AFRICOM’s withdrawal from Niger, which had significant implications for their operations.
From a western Africa perspective, the loss of ISR bases in Niger compelled the Command to operate from more distant locations such as England and Somalia. Unfortunately, this shift means reduced time on station and slower reaction times due to the increased distances involved. With limited bases available, maintaining long dwell and endurance becomes a challenge, especially considering that these ISR platforms are typically large aircraft.
Adding to the complexity, Africa’s evolving geopolitics has exacerbated the issue of aging airborne ISR capabilities. Gregory specifically mentioned the MQ-9 drone, which is gradually being phased out due to its legacy status. Looking ahead, AFRICOM anticipates that by 2026, their airborne ISR capabilities will have eroded to the point where they won’t have any airborne ISR access.”
AFRICOM lobbied to continue operate drones
As the United States Air Force strives to develop its next generation of unmanned aircraft and reduce reliance on ‘low-end’ fighter aircraft, there is growing pressure to make strategic cuts.
In its fiscal 2021 budget request, the USAF planned to reduce MQ-9 Reaper production after purchasing only 24 units in 2021. This decision will bring the total procurement to 337 aircraft and will also result in the cessation of some air patrols in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), along with the closure of the production line. Military leaders express concern that these actions could adversely affect operational capabilities and limit overwatch in critical regions.
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, the Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander, emphasized that CENTCOM still has a genuine need for the Reaper in counter-terrorism operations, particularly for monitoring Iran’s activities in the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the vulnerability of drones to sophisticated Iranian air defense systems, the intelligence-gathering capabilities of the Reaper remain indispensable.
Gen. Stephen Townsend, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Commander, highlighted that while the Air Force prioritizes high-end assets, the lower-end capabilities continue to play a crucial role in AFRICOM and CENTCOM operations.
Will Roper, the Air Force’s acquisition boss, acknowledged the Reaper’s effectiveness but cautioned against deploying it directly into battle. Given the shift toward high-end conflicts, he emphasized the need for military-unique systems designed to withstand contested environments, even if they come at a higher cost.
Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh, overseeing ISR forces within the Sixteenth Air Force, reaffirmed the ongoing demand for ISR assets worldwide. Different commanders rely on surveillance capabilities, underscoring their importance.
Meanwhile, AFRICOM will now require approval from the White House before it can launch airstrikes against militants in Somalia. This change comes as President Biden mulls whether to put limits on field commanders for authorizing attacks, amidst active reversal of some former President Donald Trump’s controversial policies which empowered deployed commanders to request for airstrikes as they see fit.
US seeks new drone base in Africa
In the wake of a recent coup in Niger, the United States and France are actively exploring alternative countries to host their drone bases for counter-terrorism and surveillance missions. The coup in the West African nation has led to a significant reevaluation of their military presence in the region.
General James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa, stated, “There are several locations I’ll say that we’re looking at, but nothing’s firmed up. We have talked to some countries about it.” While the U.S. is actively considering new host nations, they are also closely monitoring ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the situation, as a peaceful resolution is a preferred outcome.