Industrial Manufacturing Education & Research Press Release
Otto Aerospace Joins Seven Companies Competing to Develop MQ-9 Reaper Successor
Original from TheWarZone: Hunt For MQ-9 Reaper Successor Surprisingly Includes Exotic Aircraft Manufacturer Otto Aerospace

Otto Aerospace Joins Seven Companies Competing to Develop MQ-9 Reaper Successor

Seven companies, including Otto Aerospace, are competing to create a cost-effective, modular drone to replace the MQ-9A Reaper. Otto's unexpected inclusion highlights its ambition to disrupt aviation with innovative designs that could serve both military and civilian purposes. The Air Force aims to establish a fleet of at least 500 of these drones by 2032, with the MMA program officially launched in July.

The significance of Otto Aerospace's participation lies in its focus on laminar flow technology, which enhances aerodynamic efficiency and reduces operational costs. This approach could lead to improved fuel economy and extended range for the new drone designs. Otto's previous work, including the Celera 500L, showcases its commitment to optimizing aircraft performance through innovative design principles.

Looking ahead, the development of the MMA program will be closely monitored as the Air Force collaborates with industry partners to refine requirements and explore potential solutions. Otto's advancements in laminar flow technology may play a crucial role in shaping the future capabilities of military drones. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.

Editor's Note

The inclusion of Otto Aerospace in the MMA program reflects a growing trend of integrating innovative technologies into military applications. As companies leverage advancements in aerodynamics and efficiency, the competitive landscape for drone development is evolving. This shift may influence procurement strategies and investment decisions within the defense sector.

RobotToday Initiative

Robotics needs a service framework.

RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.

Share

Related Articles/News

PTC Onshape at IMTS 2026: AI That Writes Its Own CAD Tools

PTC Onshape at IMTS 2026: AI That Writes Its Own CAD Tools

PTC's Darren Henry shows Onshape's FeatureScript MCP Server turning a supplier PDF into a parametric CAD tool in 34 minutes, and what it means for robots.

Artificial Intelligence Market and Business News
Archer Aviation Advances Boeing Subsidiary Acquisition, Enhancing Aerospace AI Capabilities

Archer Aviation Advances Boeing Subsidiary Acquisition, Enhancing Aerospace AI Capabilities

Archer Aviation's acquisition of Boeing's Wisk Aero, SkyGrid, and Insitu subsidiaries has progressed after clearing the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period. This deal aims to create a comprehensive physical AI platform for aerospace and defense by integrating Archer's ZEE AI platform with Wisk's autonomous flight systems, SkyGrid's airspace-management softwa...

AI AI Funding & Investment Robotics
Kratos and GE Aerospace Successfully Ignite GEK800 Turbofan Engine for Missiles

Kratos and GE Aerospace Successfully Ignite GEK800 Turbofan Engine for Missiles

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions and GE Aerospace have achieved a major milestone with the first successful ignition of the GEK800 turbofan engine. This engine is designed for next-generation US cruise missiles, marking a significant advancement in missile technology. The successful ignition of the GEK800 engine is crucial as it represents progress in ...

News
Air Force Confirms Continuation of China Aerospace Studies Institute Amid Civilian Staff Cuts

Air Force Confirms Continuation of China Aerospace Studies Institute Amid Civilian Staff Cuts

The Air Force has announced that it will eliminate civilian staff roles at the China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI) but will not close the organization. An Air Force spokesperson stated that military service members will take over the institute's mission, which focuses on studying Chinese airpower. Affected civilian employees will remain in their posi...

Air Warfare Global Air Education and Training Command
General Atomics FQ-42A Vengeance CCA Conducts Flight Tests with USAF Fighters

General Atomics FQ-42A Vengeance CCA Conducts Flight Tests with USAF Fighters

General Atomics has showcased its FQ-42 Vengeance Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) flying alongside U.S. Air Force crewed fighters, including the F-35A and F-15E. This marks a significant step in the Air Force's efforts to enhance crewed-uncrewed teaming, with plans to field both the FQ-42 and Anduril's FQ-44 Fury by the end of the decade. The integrat...

Air Air Forces Collaborative Combat Aircraft
Seven Influential Missiles That Transformed Aerospace Engineering During the Cold War

Seven Influential Missiles That Transformed Aerospace Engineering During the Cold War

The Cold War spurred significant advancements in missile technology, driven by the need for military superiority. Innovations in propulsion, navigation, and materials were crucial as both the U.S. and the Soviet Union developed missiles capable of long-range, rapid response, and precise operation under challenging conditions. Key missiles like the Soviet ...

Military
Anduril Industries Unveils Weapon Configurations for FQ-44A Fury Drone for US Air Force

Anduril Industries Unveils Weapon Configurations for FQ-44A Fury Drone for US Air Force

Anduril Industries has released new images of its FQ-44A Fury uncrewed combat aircraft during weapons fit checks, showcasing its capability to carry guided bombs, rocket pods, and other external munitions. This development is part of the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, aimed at integrating uncrewed aircraft with crewed fighte...

Military
Gix Internet Makes $500K Investment in Ottonomy for Autonomous Delivery Robots

Gix Internet Makes $500K Investment in Ottonomy for Autonomous Delivery Robots

Gix Internet has announced a strategic investment of $500,000 in Ottonomy, a U.S. company specializing in autonomous delivery robots. This investment, made through a SAFE agreement, is expected to close during the week of September 16, 2026. Gix aims to integrate Ottonomy's Level 4 autonomous navigation technology with its Deliverz.ai software, enhancing ...

AI AI Funding & Investment Robotics
Innovation Works Venture Expo 2026: 58 Pittsburgh Startups Pitch to Investors

Innovation Works Venture Expo 2026: 58 Pittsburgh Startups Pitch to Investors

58 health, deep tech and robotics startups pitched at Innovation Works Venture Expo 2026 in Pittsburgh. Full company list, program and 2025 funding data.

Market and Business News
Anduril Warns Production of FQ-44 Fury Drones Delayed Without FY27 Budget Approval

Anduril Warns Production of FQ-44 Fury Drones Delayed Without FY27 Budget Approval

Anduril officials have stated that production of the FQ-44 Fury drones cannot begin until the fiscal year 2027 budget is approved by Congress. The Air Force awarded production contracts to Anduril and General Atomics in June for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, but funding is crucial for Anduril to start work. The urgency of the situation is underscored by ...

Air Warfare Congress 2027 defense appropriations
Stratasys at IMTS 2026: GM Scales Additive to 20+ Plants

Stratasys at IMTS 2026: GM Scales Additive to 20+ Plants

Stratasys is rolling additive out across 20+ GM plants while Toyota prints robot grippers. Booth build data, the F870, and where the cost case breaks.

Market and Business News
Anduril's YFQ-44A Fury CCA Completes Formation Flights with F-35 Fighters

Anduril's YFQ-44A Fury CCA Completes Formation Flights with F-35 Fighters

Anduril's YFQ-44A Fury Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) has successfully flown in formation with F-35 fighters during U.S. Air Force testing. This significant development was revealed by Anduril executives Jason Levin and Aaron Simpson at the Air & Space Forces Air, Space and Cyber Symposium. The flights took place in July at Creech Air Force Base, Nev...

Air Collaborative Combat Aircraft Drones

Related Suppliers

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI)

Poway, California maker of military drones, founded 1993 as a General Atomics subsidiary; builds the MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-20 Avenger unmanned aircraft.

Autonomous Vehicle / UGV Robot Manufacturer Mobile Robot (AGV/AMR)

General Atomics

US defense technology conglomerate founded in 1955, pioneering nuclear fusion, electromagnetic railguns, directed energy weapons and defense electronics.

Education & Research

Anduril Industries

Anduril Industries is a US defense technology company building autonomous drones, counter-drone systems, and AI-powered command software for military use.

UMV

MQ Automation

Australian robot systems integrator and authorized FANUC and Kawasaki distributor for industrial automation solutions.

Industrial Manufacturing Robot Manufacturer System Integrator

ZeroAvia

UK/US hydrogen-electric aviation firm ZeroAvia, founded in 2017, partnered with Safran in 2026 on zero-emission aircraft engines.

Celera Motion

Novanta precision motion business supplying encoders, motors, and servo drives to medical and advanced industrial robotics OEMs worldwide.

Deep Ocean Engineering, Inc.

Deep Ocean Engineering has built ROVs and USVs in San Jose, California since 1982, delivering over 600 systems to 30+ countries.

Bodyfriend 바디프랜드

Seoul-based massage and wellness chair maker founded 2007; builds the Falcon, Familie, and 733 chair lines using its patented ROVO bipedal leg-massage system.

Pressure Profile Systems

Hawthorne, CA maker of capacitive tactile pressure sensors (TactArray, FingerTPS) for robotics, medical devices, and ergonomics since 1996.

Healthcare & Senior Care Perception & Vision Manipulation & Grasping

Shenzhen Jasic Technology Co., Ltd.

Chinese public welding equipment manufacturer; IGBT inverter welders, TIG/MIG/MMA machines, exported to 80+ countries; listed on Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

Industrial Manufacturing Robot Manufacturer Software & Algorithm Provider

Luminar Technologies

Orlando, Florida lidar maker founded 2012 (Nasdaq: LAZR); filed Chapter 11 in December 2025, and MicroVision acquired its Iris and Halo lidar assets in 2026.

Level Five Supplies

UK-based distributor of autonomous vehicle and robotics enabling technologies including LiDAR, radar, cameras, and drive-by-wire systems.

inJoin the RobotToday community on LinkedIn

Daily robotics news, in-depth analysis, conference highlights, and discussions with professionals worldwide.