MQ-1 Predator / Gray Eagle vs MQ-9 Reaper: how to tell them apart

Two military drones that are easy to mix up at a glance. Here is what tells them apart.

MQ-1 Predator / Gray Eagle

Drone, USA. In service since 1995

What gives it away

Slender drone with a rounded nose, long straight wings, inverted V-tail and a pusher propeller.

Used by

USA (Gray Eagle), Morocco, UAE and others; Italy retired its Predators in 2022

MQ-9 Reaper

Drone, USA. In service since 2007

What gives it away

Bulbous nose, long straight wing, V-tail with a fin below and a pusher propeller at the rear.

Used by

USA, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Poland

MQ-1 Predator / Gray Eagle · MQ-9 Reaper · All guides