![]() ![]() The United States has supplied small and medium UAS to Ukraine. combination of Hellfire II, Paveway II, and/or JDAM Source: General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle and MQ-9A Reaper factsheets. IN12120 CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members andĬommittees of Congress Congressional Research ServiceĢ Platform Max Altitude Max Speed Endurance External Weapons Payload MQ-9A Reaperģ,000 lb. four Hellfire II missiles Congressional Research Service MQ-1C and MQ-9A Performance Characteristics Platform Max Altitude Max Speed Endurance External Weapons Payload MQ-1C Gray Eagleĥ00 lb. (For more information, see CRS Report R4 7188, Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Roles, Missions, and Future Concepts.) Table 1. The radio frequency signal connecting the aircraft to the GCS can be line-of-sight or relayed through another airborne platform or satellite. ![]() Large UAS require a 5,000-foot runway to take off and land, along with a ground control station (GCS) accommodating multiple two-person crews to operate the aircraft. Large UAS like the MQ-1C Gray Eagle and MQ-9A Reaper-sometimes referred to as medium altitude long endurance UAS-provide continuous surveillance and reconnaissance and can be armed with weapons like t he AGM-114 Hellfire II missile, GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bomb, and GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM). This Insight addresses potential issues Congress may consider if the Administration proposes a potential transfer of large UAS to Ukraine as the situation in the zone of conflict changes. T he Administration has reportedly expressed concern that Russia could capture and exploit some sensitive electronic components on these aircraft, such as electro- optical/infrared cameras. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act, P.L. ![]() Congress authorized the transfer of armed UAS to Ukraine (through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative) in the FY2023 James M. Similarly, on November 22, 2022, a bipartisan group of 16 Senators also wrote to Secretary Austin expressing support for transfer of the MQ-1C Gray Eagle. For example, on September 21, 2022, a bipartisan group of 17 Members of the House of Representatives wrote to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressing support for the transfer of UAS like th e MQ-1C Gray Eagle or the MQ-9A Reaper. Some Members of Congress have expressed support for sending large UAS to Ukraine. Air Force reportedly proposed the transfer of MQ-9 Reaper UAS to Ukraine in spring 2022. Ukraine argues that access to these weapon systems would improve its air operations against Russian ground forces. MaIn mid- 2022, Ukraine reportedly requested that the Biden Administration transfer to Ukraine large advanced Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). INSIGHTi Large Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Transfer to Ukraine: Issues for Congress ![]()
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