MQ-9A gets more lethal with laser-guided rockets

The U.S. Air Force and General Atomics flight-tested laser-guided APKWS rockets on the MQ-9A Reaper in Nevada.

The demonstration showed the drone can hit moving or stationary targets with precision rockets.

The tests also point to a potential air-to-air counter-drone role for the Reaper.

The result broadens how a widely used unmanned aircraft could be used in air defense and combat.