First Photos of Italian MQ-9 Block 5 Predator B Emerge | Aviation

The Italian Air Force released the first photos of the new MQ-9A Block 5 delivered last year, shortly after the announcement of a possible Foreign Military Sale to double the RPA fleet.

The Italian Air Force published on its social media channels the first photos of the new MQ-9A Block 5 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). The Predator B (the name Reaper has not been adopted in Italy) was delivered last year along with a new Mobile Ground Control Station as part of a Mid-Life Modernization of the Italian RPA fleet, with the first flight in Italy on Nov. 9, 2023.

The aircraft, operated by the 28° Gruppo (Squadron) of the 32° Stormo (Wing), is shown during the pre-flight inspections and the launch operations from its home base at Amendola Air Base, in Southern Italy.  Upon delivery, the aircraft joined the other five MQ-9s in the Block 2 configurations, which are planned to be also upgraded to Block 5.

Italian MQ-9s have always been surrounded by a veil of secrecy, with few details divulged to the public, especially regarding its offensive capabilities. However, as we mentioned in earlier reports, it appears there was a chance of tendency in the last few years with a more public profile for the aircraft.

In fact, the MQ-9 participated to the airshow for the 100 years of the Italian Air Force…