General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has revealed the first renderings of Wildfire, a lower-cost, modular uncrewed aircraft concept aimed at the US Air Force’s Massed Modular Aircraft programme. The design is intended to take on MQ-9 Reaper-type missions and was shown with strike configurations that include four Joint Strike Missiles or two AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles, pointing to a focus on stand-off attack and mass employment.
The programme sits within a Pentagon effort run with the Defence Innovation Unit to field a Reaper-class aircraft with at least 2,800 pounds of payload, a 2,300-nautical-mile combat radius and an 8,000-nautical-mile ferry range. Reporting on the unveiling also places the Air Force’s target unit cost at roughly $10 million before sensors and mission systems. Wildfire is being framed for strike, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and anti-ship roles in contested airspace, where attritable drones can be used in larger numbers and accepted as losses if needed.
Aviation Week identified the images as the first public renderings of Wildfire, while Air & Space Forces Magazine linked the reveal to a video released ahead of the Air, Space and Cyber conference. General Atomics has not disclosed a full technical data sheet, production timetable or complete pricing for the aircraft.