The US Air Force's MQ-9 Reaper drones emerged as the most heavily utilised strike platform during recent operations linked to Iran, senior Air Force officials told Congressional committees this week, describing the unmanned aircraft as a critical force multiplier in combat missions across the Middle East.

MQ-9's Role in Operation Epic Fury

Air Force Chief of Staff General Kenneth Wilsbach told the House Armed Services Committee that the MQ-9 had played a decisive operational role during Operation Epic Fury, underscoring the growing centrality of unmanned systems in modern US warfare.

'For Epic Fury, perhaps maybe the most valuable player was unmanned and that's the MQ-9,' Wilsbach said. 'We've made many, many strikes. I don't want to say how many because the number's classified, but no other platform is even close to the MQ-9.'

Wilsbach added that the MQ-9 provided 'a lot of utility' while significantly reducing risk to pilots and crews — a factor that has elevated its profile in Pentagon planning circles.

No Retirement Plans for MQ-9 Fleet

Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told lawmakers the service had no intention of retiring the MQ-9 fleet despite broader force modernisation drives. He indicated the Air Force was instead evaluating successor systems capable of operating alongside both manned fighters and other autonomous aircraft.

'We are not divesting the MQ-9,' Meink said. 'We are looking at what is the follow-on to the MQ-9 aircraft, and it's probably going to be not one platform, it'll probably be multiple platforms.'

Collaborative Combat Aircraft and the Autonomy Push

General Wilsbach pointed to the development of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) — autonomous systems designed to fly alongside manned platforms such as the F-47, F-22, and F-35. He confirmed the systems were already airborne and demonstrating promising results.

'The autonomous systems are working,' Wilsbach told Senators. 'We're learning from it and adjusting as we go.'

The Pentagon's proposed FY2027 budget allocates $1.4 billion for CCA development as part of a broader push towards autonomy, artificial intelligence, and advanced battle management systems. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike D. Rogers urged the Air Force to accelerate the shift toward remotely operated combat aircraft to cut pilot risk and lower operational costs.

Budget Debate and Future Air Combat Strategy

The disclosures came as the Department of the Air Force defended its FY2027 budget before both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, amid intensifying debate in Washington over the balance between costly next-generation manned fighters and lower-cost autonomous systems. Congressional leaders repeatedly pressed officials on whether the Pentagon was moving fast enough on unmanned platforms.

Wilsbach acknowledged that fully autonomous combat aviation remained some distance away, but indicated the trajectory was firmly set. This comes amid broader US efforts to restructure its air combat doctrine following the operational lessons of recent Middle East engagements.