MAGTF Unmanned Aerial System Expeditionary – MUX
The Marines operate unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and are fielding the RQ-21 BLACKJACK to replace the current RQ-7 SHADOW, both mid-range Group 4 systems.
However, they are looking at the Group 5 longer endurance UAS such as the MQ-9 REAPER as a stepping stone to the US Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Unmanned Aerial System Expeditionary or MUX – of similar size to the REAPER but able to operate off amphibious and expeditionary fields without a runway.
Col. James Frey, Head of the Corps Aviation Expeditionary Enablers Branch, stated at the 6 June MUX Industry Day that, “this RFI seeks a system that would autonomously take off from and land on a ship, an Expeditionary Sea Base, or from an austere landing zone; cruise at 200-300kts with a 350-700nmi range and stay on station for eight to 12 hours.”
The goal is to develop and introduce MUX by 2025.
