Marine Corps "MUX MALE" Fleet Hits 20,000 Flight Hours

General Atomics had a chance to toot its horn after its fleet reached 20,000 flight hours with the US Marine Corps on achieving a significant milestone of surpassing 20,000 flight hours in combination with the Marine Air-Ground Task Force.

The Marines have been racking up the hours with their MQ-9A, in use as the “Unmanned Expeditionary, Medium-Altitude, High-Endurance aircraft” or MUX MALE.  Acronyms aside, the milestone shows just how the USMC likes their UAVs: Durable, reliable, and long-legged. The “MUX MALE” has only just begun its career in the corps, with only 8 delivered  so far, 2 of which remain operational. A dozen more are on the way, slated for delivery by 2025. Some day, the USMC fleet will be a full lineup of MQ-9A Extended Range aircraft, a model that has grown to become General Atomics’ bread and butter.

“This strategic acquisition of MQ-9As underscores the USMC’s commitment to strengthening their aerial surveillance capabilities and demonstrates their confidence in GA-ASI’s expertise in delivering top-tier UAS,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander.

FMI: www.ga.com