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AFRICOM photo shows mystery Reaper payload in Seychelles

US Africa Command yesterday released the photo above of the MQ-9 Reaper returning to its new Seychelles base after an anti-piracy mission on November 4.

The photo shows a payload under the wing that I am unable to identify. I believe it is a signals intelligence sensor of some kind. It could also be just a fuel tank.

Or, maybe even a wide area camera, assuming there's a lens on the bottom of that thing. Click on the image to see the full-size picture.

I have emailed AFRICOM's public affairs office, asking them to identify the payload. I'm not optimistic that I'll get a useful response.

In the meantime, what do you guys -- think?


Click to view image: '7a2303d142b7-mq9_seychelles_mystery_sensor.jpg'

Added: Nov-12-2009 Occurred On: Nov-11-2009
By: PConvictions
In: LiveLeaks, Arts and Entertainment, Other
Tags: us, africa, reaper, mq-9, 9, command, seychelles, piracy
Marked as: approved
Views: 9148 | Comments: 39 | Votes: 0 | Favorites: 0 | Shared: 0 | Updates: 0 | Times used in channels: 1
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  • looks like a hyperdrive to me, or some sort of flux capacitor at least.

    Posted Nov-13-2009 By 
    babieshappen (84.60)

    (2)

  • beer keg?

    Posted Nov-13-2009 By 
    rlnbns (1481.72)  

    (1)

  • I doubt its a fuel tank, as most don't need holes at the front where they need to be made aerodynamicly. Im guessing its full of sensors and electronics. The hole is a ram air duct to aid internal cooling.

    Posted Nov-13-2009 By 
    serverstalker (10.54)

    (1)

  • Well lets see, MQ operates over land mass most of the time so Im guessing for ocean specific mission it was equipped with a sensor able to pick up small boats from far away, since it is capable of using sonar from up above. Im just guessing.

    Posted Nov-13-2009 By 
    JARtoosmall (234.32)

    (0)

  • Here's the initial response from AFRICOM PAO.

    "The object is part of the sensor payload. Fuel is carried internally on the aircraft. We'll check once folks are back in their offices to see if there's anything more we can add. "

    Posted Nov-13-2009 By 
    PConvictions (4616.14)  

    (0)

  • It's been a while since I put anything on the wing of an aircraft, but it seems to be lacking any sensing equipment, so my guess is fuel. Scaled down from what a normal aircraft would carry.

    Posted Nov-13-2009 By 
    safetychuck2 (4086.32)  

    (0)

  • My final comment...external fuel tank. If it was a sensor pod you would have access ports into the pod for maintenance, not welds. Also, on the other wing, there appears to be something mounted as well that could be sensing equipment, but why? The nose of the aircraft has more than enough sensing equipment to do a surveilance mission.

    So you have to ask yourself why would you need to add anything but fuel for a simple recconissance mission. You aren't jamming communications, and we have estab More..

    Posted Nov-13-2009 By 
    safetychuck2 (4086.32)  

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    • Here's the initial response from AFRICOM PAO.

      "The object is part of the sensor payload. Fuel is carried internally on the aircraft. We'll check once folks are back in their offices to see if there's anything more we can add. "

      Posted Nov-13-2009 By 
      PConvictions (4616.14)  

      (0)

    • I saw your initial response from that group. Yes, MQ-9 has two internal fuel tanks, but information from the company that makes the Raptor (General Atomics) indicates that an external fuel tank can be mounted on the hard points to extend it's mission to two days aloft.

      The image is good quality and I see nothing to indicate it is a sensor package. The openning in the front could be for a number of reasons, but sensors would need to be directed at the ground, not straight ahead. The smudging o More..

      Posted Nov-13-2009 By 
      safetychuck2 (4086.32)  

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    • The front aperture is a cooling air entry to cool the generator and wave guide of a radar.

      P.S. You are a conservative.

      Posted Nov-14-2009 By 
      CapedieMan (205.24)  
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    • Prove what you are saying...it wasn't in my training, not in my research of what stores the MQ-9 takes. And who cares what you think I am...I'm not you. I think...lol.

      Posted Nov-14-2009 By 
      safetychuck2 (4086.32)  

      (0)

    • The front aperture is a cooling air entry to cool the generator and wave guide of a radar.

      P.S. You are a conservative... Hence irrelevant. Got it ?

      Posted Nov-14-2009 By 
      CapedieMan (205.24)  
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  • Give me the short list of places we are not at war with.

    Posted Nov-13-2009 By 
    buttkracken (659.68)

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  • Airborne ground radar.

    P.S. Please stop embarassing yourself. I feel pity for you ignorant imbecile.

    Posted Nov-15-2009 By 
    CapedieMan (205.24)  
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  • Laser?

    Posted Nov-13-2009 By 
    TwoWingsOneBird (164.82)
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  • Its a sensor that can see through walls of a house to do facial recognition. Its top secret.

    Posted Dec-4-2009 By 
    zecadr (105.44)

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  • Just aft on the pod there appears to be some sort of aperture.... TARPS on the F-14 would be a likely cousin if that's what this is. Making pictures from the sky...

    Posted Nov-13-2009 By 
    thejason1975 (11.08)  

    (0)

  • looks like a tactical pez dispensor to me.

    Posted Nov-13-2009 By 
    tripcee (32.40)  

    (0)

  • Could be a magnetic anomaly detector.

    Posted Nov-13-2009 By 
    omegaic (68.96)

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    • To detect Somali pirate subs?

      That's right up there with the airborne sonar comment. . .

      Prolly just a fuel tank. Do they really need super secret stuff to track guys with a Motorolla CB in a Zodiac?

      Posted Nov-13-2009 By 
      SpinBoldak (41.26)  

      (0)

  • From where i`m sitting, it`s definately NOT a fuel tank, i`ve seen similar stuff to this on other military aircraft and everytime I ask, it`s "Dont ask!".
    They were usually testing something or another and had it encased in something similar, the small hole in the front? - I`m guessing for a small laser for targeting and/ or weapons, camera for photo`s? depending what it`s mission was at the time. These things are usually bolt on, bolt off when needed or tested. From what I`ve read he More..

    Posted Nov-13-2009 By 
    Blackwolfhunting (668.82)  
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    • I don't know where you are sitting, but it is a fuel tank...that is unless it's a bomb or a missle, and since it has no fins and information on the MQ-9 states: "The MQ-9, however, is a larger and faster UAV Predator. It has six stores pylons for bombs, missiles, or external fuel tanks. An MQ-9 with two external fuel tanks and a thousand pounds of munitions can stay aloft for nearly two days."

      Sorry, but I'll disagree with you on this one.

      Posted Nov-13-2009 By 
      safetychuck2 (4086.32)  

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