UK MQ-9 Reaper Designation?
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UK MQ-9 Reaper Designation?
Dear Royal Air Warriors,
As a Civvie pilot it just struck me tonight reading the news report of the imminent Reaper deployment to Iraq that I have never seen a "Role.Mark" designation attached to the Reaper in RAF service (such as GR.4 or F.4). Is it officially designated any other way than the "Reaper" in the UK? Is there a UK designation to signify a Remotely Piloted Aircraft?
Just curious.
As a Civvie pilot it just struck me tonight reading the news report of the imminent Reaper deployment to Iraq that I have never seen a "Role.Mark" designation attached to the Reaper in RAF service (such as GR.4 or F.4). Is it officially designated any other way than the "Reaper" in the UK? Is there a UK designation to signify a Remotely Piloted Aircraft?
Just curious.
I thought that along with various other capabilties (Sentinel - Shadow etc) that Reaper was still a UOR platform and had not been taken into Core. If that is still the case, are they not operating outside of the UOR mandate for procurement?
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I still recall the confusion of a military chap in an embassy when confronted with dip clear requests for Nimrod R1, Sentinel R1, and Shadow R1.
Never liked the raf way of designating stuff, the Americans have always done it so much better.
Never liked the raf way of designating stuff, the Americans have always done it so much better.
Never liked the raf way of designating stuff, the Americans have always done it so much better.
Sadly, the RAF website doesn't even get the US designation right, it should be "MQ-9A Reaper", not "Reaper MQ9A".
In theory the British designation might be "Reaper D1", if anyone had cared to give it one.
In theory the British designation might be "Reaper D1", if anyone had cared to give it one.
In theory the British designation might be "Reaper D1", if anyone had cared to give it one.
Last edited by Roland Pulfrew; 17th Oct 2014 at 11:39. Reason: Damn: simul-post with 5F6B
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"In theory the British designation might be "Reaper D1", if anyone had cared to give it one".
Surely the designation should be Reaper DGR1? (Unmanned Air vehicle, Ground Attack, Reconnaissance).
Surely the designation should be Reaper DGR1? (Unmanned Air vehicle, Ground Attack, Reconnaissance).
D1? Why not GR1, considering it does ground attack and reconnaissance as its primary roles....?
Time to bring back the former 'U' designation? UK designation letters only ever have the meaning that applies to that one particular aircraft anyway. (How many different uses for 'A' for example?).
As far as I know the C-17 has never received a UK mark designation either.
As far as I know the C-17 has never received a UK mark designation either.
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Yes Google is a wonderful thing, and since a Google search did not reveal any UK format designation, only the US "MQ-9A" and the name "Reaper" I thought I'd ask somewhere where people might actually come into contact with the thing. My apologies for thinking I could get an answer from this forum that didnt involve a condescending a$$hole or two chiming in.
I hope none of you ever have a question about the airline business.
To the other responders, thank you.
I hope none of you ever have a question about the airline business.
To the other responders, thank you.
Nick
I would also guess that as the MQ-9 was bought as an urgent operational requirement (UOR) for Afghanistan that is why it hasn't got a UK Mil designator. Similarly as the C-17 was (originally) only a lease then we probably decided not to call it the Globemaster C Mk 1. Not sure what happened in the case of the Shadow R Mk 1 though.
I would also guess that as the MQ-9 was bought as an urgent operational requirement (UOR) for Afghanistan that is why it hasn't got a UK Mil designator. Similarly as the C-17 was (originally) only a lease then we probably decided not to call it the Globemaster C Mk 1. Not sure what happened in the case of the Shadow R Mk 1 though.
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[quoteMy apologies for thinking I could get an answer from this forum that didnt involve a condescending a$$hole or two chiming in.
][/quote]
Don't apologise son, you're fitting in just fine...
][/quote]
Don't apologise son, you're fitting in just fine...