WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The drone has been extensively used in military operations in the Middle East.
“General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, California, has been awarded a… $43,740,596… contract action for France's MQ-9 second system,” the announcement on Tuesday said. “Work will be performed at Poway, California, and is expected to be complete by Oct. 31, 2017.”
On November 13, 2015 the Defense Department reported that an MQ-9 had killed the notorious Islamic State terrorist Mohammed Emwazi, popularly known as “Jihadi John,” who had publicly beheaded at least six Western prisoners on videos.
General Atomics drones have now amassed more than 2.1 million cumulative flight hours and recorded the highest mission capable rate of any aircraft in the US Air Force's inventory.