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IAI Heron vs MQ-9 Reaper

IAI Heron military drones side profile drawing
🇮🇱 IAI Heron
General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper military drones side profile drawing
🇺🇸 MQ-9 Reaper
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Specifications
IAI Heron MQ-9 Reaper
Origin country 🇮🇱 Israel 🇺🇸 United States
Category Military Drones Military Drones
Manufacturer IAI General Atomics
First flight 1 January 1994 1 February 2001
Year introduced 2005 2007
Number produced N/A 300 units
Average unit price $9.5 million $30 million
Wingspan 16.6 m 20.0 m
Length 8.5 m 11.0 m
Maximum speed 207 km/h 300 km/h
Operational range 1,000 km 1,850 km
Service ceiling 10,000 m 15,000 m
Max. takeoff weight 1,270 kg 4,760 kg
Empty weight -- kg 2,223 kg
Performance Radar Chart

Overview

The IAI Heron and the MQ-9 Reaper are both Military Drones, manufactured by IAI and General Atomics respectively.

Top speed is 207 km/h for the IAI Heron vs 300 km/h for the MQ-9 Reaper. The IAI Heron has an operational range of 1,000 km vs 1,850 km for the MQ-9 Reaper. The MQ-9 Reaper operates at altitudes up to 15,000 m compared to 10,000 m for the IAI Heron. At 4,760 kg MTOW, the MQ-9 Reaper is 3.7x the IAI Heron's 1,270 kg.

Unit cost is $9.5M for the IAI Heron vs $30M for the MQ-9 Reaper. The IAI Heron first flew 7 years before the MQ-9 Reaper (1994 vs 2001).

Related Comparisons
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the IAI Heron or MQ-9 Reaper?
The MQ-9 Reaper is faster with a maximum speed of 300 km/h compared to the IAI Heron's 207 km/h, a difference of 93 km/h.
Which has longer range, the IAI Heron or MQ-9 Reaper?
The MQ-9 Reaper has a longer range at 1,850 km compared to the IAI Heron's 1,000 km.
Which can fly higher, the IAI Heron or MQ-9 Reaper?
The MQ-9 Reaper has a higher service ceiling at 15,000 meters (49,212 ft) compared to the IAI Heron's 10,000 meters (32,808 ft).
Which is heavier, the IAI Heron or MQ-9 Reaper?
The MQ-9 Reaper has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 4,760 kg compared to the IAI Heron's 1,270 kg.
Which is larger, the IAI Heron or MQ-9 Reaper?
The MQ-9 Reaper is longer at 11.0 meters compared to the IAI Heron's 8.5 meters.
Which is more expensive, the IAI Heron or MQ-9 Reaper?
The MQ-9 Reaper is more expensive at approximately $30 million per unit compared to the IAI Heron at $9.5 million.
Which entered service first, the IAI Heron or MQ-9 Reaper?
The IAI Heron entered service first in 2005, 2 years before the MQ-9 Reaper which entered service in 2007.