What is the difference between MQ-9 Reaper and Vector (and Trinity)?

MQ-9 Reaper and Vector (and Trinity) are both aerial robots on the DEPLOY registry. They differ in maker, maturity, price, verified deployments, and how much of their autonomy is independently verified. See the table above for the full head-to-head; each figure is sourced.

Which has more verified deployments, MQ-9 Reaper or Vector (and Trinity)?

MQ-9 Reaper has more verified deployments (4) on the DEPLOY registry than Vector (and Trinity) (1). DEPLOY counts a deployment only when confirmed at a named site with a primary source.

Buying guide

MQ-9 Reaper vs Vector (and Trinity) in 2026

Comparing 2 humanoid robots across availability, pricing, capabilities, and verified deployments. Current as of 2026.

Key differences

MQ-9 Reaper has more verified real-world deployments (4 vs 1).
MQ-9 Reaper is at the production stage; Vector (and Trinity) at the commercial stage.

Attribute	MQ-9 Reaper View full model page →	Vector (and Trinity)View full model page →
Manufacturer	General Atomics Aeronautical Systems	Quantum Systems
Form factor	aerial	aerial
Maturity	production	commercial
Autonomy	—	—
Availability	internal-onlyenterprise	internal-onlyenterprise
Price	$20,000,000-$32,000,000 (actual sale price)	Not announced
Capability claims	—	—
Brain	—	—
Verified deployments	4	1Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces)
Privacy practices	—	—
Sources on file	11	9

Editorial summaries

MQ-9 Reaper

The MQ-9 Reaper, from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, is the canonical legacy-prime medium-altitude long-endurance drone and the AI-augmented-not-autonomous contrast to the new-defense AI-first triangle. The MQ-9A (first flight 2001, in service since May 2007) is a remotely-piloted aircraft flown by a crew of three (pilot, sensor operator, mission intelligence coordinator) from a ground control station, with about 30 hours of ISR or 23 hours of armed endurance, a 3,800-pound payload, and AGM-114 Hellfire and GBU-12/38 munitions; the MQ-9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian adds 40-plus hours and civil-airspace integration (the UK operates it as Protector RG Mk1). It is fielded across the US DoD and allied air forces; the MQ-9A line closed production in 2025 while the MQ-9B is in production. Its AI is augmentation, not autonomy: sensor fusion, ISR processing, and targeting assistance run while a human crew flies the aircraft and makes mission decisions. It is defense procurement equipment; there is no consumer price.

Vector (and Trinity)

Quantum Systems' Vector is a fixed-wing VTOL tactical ISR (reconnaissance) drone from the Munich-based new-defense maker founded in 2015 by ex-Bundeswehr pilot Florian Seibel. It is sold to governments, not consumers, so there is no consumer price. Its fielding is the cleanest of the new-defense set: Germany-financed deliveries to Ukraine reached 619 Vector units by April 2025 (up from 438 across 2022-2023 orders), alongside 100 donated Trinity survey drones. The company raised a EUR 160M Series C in May 2025 (the first European dual-use unicorn) and a EUR 180M round in November 2025 at roughly a EUR 3B / $3.5B valuation. On AI substance the Vector is genuinely AI-powered ISR (onboard detection, combat-reported acoustic artillery detection), but it is a reconnaissance platform whose autonomy is processing-grade, not strike-grade: a lower autonomy ambition than Anduril or Helsing, and much of the AI detail rests on company description. Recorded at commercial maturity on fielding evidence. A plan to build 400 Vector drones in Ukraine, EUR 300-500M revenue projections, and a possible 2026 IPO are claimed but not verified.

Common questions

What is the difference between MQ-9 Reaper and Vector (and Trinity)?: MQ-9 Reaper and Vector (and Trinity) are both aerial robots on the DEPLOY registry. They differ in maker, maturity, price, verified deployments, and how much of their autonomy is independently verified. See the table above for the full head-to-head; each figure is sourced.
Which has more verified deployments, MQ-9 Reaper or Vector (and Trinity)?: MQ-9 Reaper has more verified deployments (4) on the DEPLOY registry than Vector (and Trinity) (1). DEPLOY counts a deployment only when confirmed at a named site with a primary source.

Recent coverage

Pentagon to explore cheaper replacements for the MQ-9 ReaperMQ-9 Reaper · C4ISRNET · 2026-07-08
Pentagon to explore cheaper replacements for the MQ-9 ReaperMQ-9 Reaper · Defense News · 2026-07-08
Quantum Systems raises $1.2B to expand drone production and deploymentsVector (and Trinity) · Robotics Business Review · 2026-07-06
Quantum Systems Doubles Valuation to $8B in New RoundVector (and Trinity) · Bloomberg Technology · 2026-07-03

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