The notion that an MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle is comparable to the F-16, but at far less cost—offered in some recent press reports—is absolutely wrong, per Gen. Ronald Keys, head of Air Combat Command. Keys told Air Force Magazine in an interview Friday that Reapers will do beautifully in an environment where enemy air defenses either don’t exist or have been beaten down, in which case “you could get rid of your F-16s.” However, they can’t attack enemy air defenses, can’t penetrate, can’t dogfight, can’t carry a large bomb load, and can’t go fast—all attributes that are necessary for any kind of major fight.
Airman Charged in M18 Shooting Death Found Dead
Oct. 27, 2025
The Airman arrested in connection with the M18 pistol discharge that killed a fellow member of Air Force security forces on July 20 in Wyoming was found dead earlier this month, an Air Force spokesperson confirmed.
