Reaper crash in southern Afghanistan Published July 6, 2009 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- An MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft system crashed in southern Afghanistan July 4. The crash was not due to hostile fire. The aircraft is a medium-to-high altitude long-endurance, unmanned aircraft system. The MQ-9's primary mission is as a persistent hunter-killer against emerging targets to achieve joint force commander objectives. A board will be convened to investigate the incident.