US firm unveils new 72-foot drone with 10,357-mile range to replace aging Reaper fleet

California startup Swarm Aero unveiled the Gamera drone with a 72-foot wingspan and range up to 9,000 nautical miles (about 10,357 miles) without refueling. The aircraft is being developed for the Pentagon's Massed Modular Aircraft program, which seeks a replacement for the MQ-9A Reaper costing about $10 million per unit.

• Wingspan 72 feet, range up to 9,000 nautical miles without refueling
• Seven hardpoints, payload of at least 2,800 pounds
• One operator can control up to 35 drones via Legion system
• First flight planned for next year, competitor is Wildfire from General Atomics