General Atomics reveals Wildfire concept as lower-cost MQ-9 successor

General Atomics released the first rendering of its new Wildfire MALE UAV concept for the USAF’s Massed Modular Aircraft (MMA) effort, aiming for a much lower unit cost than MQ-9 while retaining ISR/strike roles. The design hints at changes in communications/control (missing MQ-9 SATCOM hump, possible smaller SATCOM/LEO-network reliance) and is depicted carrying four stand-off cruise missiles (JSM), indicating a push toward longer-range, survivable strike from a non-stealth MALE platform.