General Atomics proposes Wildfire MALE UAS as MQ-9 Reaper successor

General Atomics outlined the Wildfire UAS concept aimed at a cheaper, modular MQ-9 replacement with very long ferry range (claimed 10,000 nm), heavy payload options (e.g., four LRASMs), and semi-autonomous mass employment concepts. While not yet fielded, it reflects a push toward attritable, theater-range MALE drones with modular payloads and resilient comms/mesh operations in denied environments.