U.S. Senate Committee Directs Air Force to Rebuild MQ-9 Reaper Fleet by 2028
The Senate Armed Services Committee passed its version of the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act on June 11, including a provision directing the Secretary of Defense to rebuild the Air Force's MQ-9 Reaper drone fleet by 2028. The move follows Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach publicly calling the Reaper the 'MVP' of Operation Epic Fury.
Highlights
- The Senate Armed Services Committee passed its FY2027 NDAA on June 11, 2025, containing a provision directing the Air Force to rebuild its MQ-9 Reaper fleet by 2028.
- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach publicly called the MQ-9 Reaper the 'MVP' of Operation Epic Fury, affirming the platform's strategic value.
- The MQ-9 Reaper is the U.S. Air Force's primary long-endurance ISR and precision strike drone, valued for its multi-mission payload and remote-piloting capability.
- The fleet-rebuild provision must survive a House-Senate conference reconciliation before the final NDAA can be signed into law by the President.
- The legislative move reflects growing congressional concern over whether existing U.S. military drone inventories are sufficient to counter future threats.
Senate Armed Services Committee Directs Air Force to Rebuild MQ-9 Reaper Fleet by 2028
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach recently praised the MQ-9 Reaper as the "most valuable player" of Operation Epic Fury, underscoring the platform's critical role in recent military operations and reigniting congressional debate over the future of the U.S. military's Reaper inventory.
SASC Passes Fleet Rebuild Directive
Against that backdrop, the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) formally passed its version of the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on June 11. The legislation includes a specific provision directing the Secretary of Defense to take steps to restore and expand the Air Force's MQ-9 Reaper fleet, with a target completion date of 2028.
Strategic Importance of the MQ-9 Reaper
The MQ-9 Reaper has long served as a cornerstone of U.S. Air Force intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and precision strike missions. The platform is valued for its long endurance, remote-piloting capability, and multi-mission payload flexibility. Gen. Wilsbach's public endorsement further highlights the Reaper's irreplaceable strategic value in modern asymmetric warfare environments.
Path Forward for the Legislation
The FY2027 NDAA must still go through a conference process reconciling the Senate and House versions before a final bill can be sent to the President for signature. Whether the Senate's fleet-rebuild provision survives intact in the final legislation remains subject to the ongoing legislative process.
The development signals strong congressional concern over the adequacy of current drone fleet size in addressing future threats, and reflects broader momentum within the U.S. government to sustain and expand military unmanned aerial capabilities.
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