MQ-9 Reaper vs MQ-20 Avenger
Reaper and Avenger share a manufacturer but use different propulsion and development approaches. Reaper is the familiar turboprop armed-ISR reference; Avenger is a jet-powered platform associated with ISR, strike development and experimentation. Higher speed is not automatically the same as more persistent coverage.
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Specifications side by side
| Specification | MQ-9 Reaper | MQ-20 Avenger |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | General Atomics | General Atomics |
| Country of origin | USA | USA |
| Mission role | Attack / Reconnaissance | Strike / ISR |
| Year introduced | 2007 | 2009 |
| Length | 11 m | 12.5 m |
| Wingspan | 20 m | 20.1 m |
| Height | 3.8 m | 3.4 m |
| Maximum speed | 482 km/h | About 400+ KTAS / 740+ km/h (manufacturer, configuration-dependent) |
| Published range | 1,850 km | Configuration and mission dependent; no universal operational figure |
| Endurance | 27 hours | About 15–20 hours (configuration-dependent manufacturer figures) |
| Service ceiling | 15,240 m | Up to 50,000 ft / 15,240 m (manufacturer) |
| Payload | 1,746 kg | 2,948 kg |
| Weight | 2,223 kg | 8,255 kg |
| Armament | AGM-114 Hellfire, GBU-12/38 JDAM, GBU-49 | Internal/external payload capability; operational loadout is customer-specific |
Figures below come from the linked DroneStrike profiles and retain their configuration qualifiers. Maximum speed, range, endurance and payload are separate published figures, not a single achievable mission configuration. Range is not necessarily combat radius or datalink reach. Missing information is not zero, and a larger figure does not establish combat effectiveness.
The comparison that matters
Distinguish fielded mission configurations from experimental payload or autonomy demonstrations. A test performed on Avenger should not be presented as a standard feature of all aircraft, while the maximum endurance of an efficient surveillance profile should not be compared with an unrelated high-speed flight segment.
Understanding MQ-9 Reaper
Reaper combines persistent surveillance with a substantial cleared weapons capacity. Its larger turboprop airframe supports a different sensor and strike workload from light tactical UAVs, one-way weapons and reconnaissance-only aircraft.
Separate MQ-9A figures from MQ-9B capabilities, and distinguish total payload allowance from a specific cleared weapons and sensor load.
Understanding MQ-20 Avenger
Avenger is a jet-powered General Atomics uncrewed aircraft associated with ISR, strike development and test work. Its different propulsion and mission experimentation should not be mistaken for a straightforward Reaper replacement.
Testing an autonomous function or payload does not demonstrate fleet-wide combat availability or a standard operational weapons configuration.
How to read the specification table
The table compares the named MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-20 Avenger catalog records, not an artificial combination of every advertised upgrade. Values are reproduced with their existing units and qualifications. Where figures describe different missions or payload types, treat them as context rather than calculating an unsupported performance advantage.
A published maximum is not necessarily achievable alongside every other maximum. Endurance may change with equipment, flight or sea conditions and transit requirements; a range figure may describe a different constraint from datalink reach. Unknown specifications remain unknown. For development programs and limited-disclosure systems, an intended capability must stay distinct from a completed trial or operational service.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-20 Avenger?
Reaper and Avenger share a manufacturer but use different propulsion and development approaches. Reaper is the familiar turboprop armed-ISR reference; Avenger is a jet-powered platform associated with ISR, strike development and experimentation. Higher speed is not automatically the same as more persistent coverage.
Can the headline specifications establish a winner?
No. The mission, actual configuration, supported force and quality of evidence determine what the figures mean. Maximum speed, endurance and payload alone do not establish combat effectiveness, survivability or equal intelligence collection.
Where can I verify the versions and figures used here?
Follow the MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-20 Avenger profile links for full descriptions, timelines and any listed source references. This guide preserves the catalog's uncertainty labels rather than presenting unpublished or weakly sourced figures as independently verified facts.
Sources and further reading
- MQ-9 Reaper: full catalog profile, timeline and source notes
- MQ-20 Avenger: full catalog profile, timeline and source notes
Specifications are drawn from the linked catalog profiles. Source dates and aircraft configurations may differ; see the individual profiles for their timelines and qualifications.