The new development will enable the MQ-9B to be equipped with airborne early warning capability
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) conducted the first flight of its MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft equipped with Airborne Early Warning (AEW) pods. The anticipated AEW capability is being developed through a partnership with Saab. Once the AEW sensor, named LoyalEye, is available to MQ-9B operators and new customers, it will provide persistent and cost-effective aerial surveillance capabilities in regions where they do not currently exist.
GA-ASI conducted an MQ-9B validation flight using AEW radar pods on May 19 from GA-ASI's Desert Horizon flight operations facility in Southern California, using a company-owned aircraft. The flight marked the first step in a development process expected to last several months and culminate in a full capability demonstration later this year.
GA-ASI and Saab announced their partnership last year with the intention of incorporating AEW capability into the MQ-9B platform.
MQ-9B variants include SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian®, the British variant of the MQ-9B known as Protector, and the new MQ-9B STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) configuration currently in development for naval aircraft carriers.
"The AEW capability for the MQ-9B will offer critical aerial detection capabilities to defend against tactical air munitions, guided missiles, drones, fighters, bombers, and other threats. The operational availability of a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft system (UAS) is the highest of any military aircraft, and because it is an unmanned platform, its crews are not exposed to danger," said David R. Alexander, President of GA-ASI.
"This partnership integrates the MQ-9B with LoyalEye, providing operators with vital information for critical decision-making. LoyalEye expands the capabilities of manned systems and offers persistent surveillance and increased operational flexibility. This enhances situational awareness and increases mission success," said Carl-Johan Bergholm, Senior Vice President and Head of Business Area Surveillance at Saab.
The AEW offering from GA-ASI and Saab will encompass a wide range of applications, including early warning and detection, long-range detection and tracking, simultaneous target tracking, and flexible system integration, all through line-of-sight and SATCOM connectivity.
About GA-ASI
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. is the world's leading manufacturer of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). With more than 9 million flight hours accumulated, the Predator® line of UAS has operated for over 30 years and includes the MQ-9A Reaper®, MQ-1C Gray Eagle®, MQ-20 Avenger®, and MQ-9B SkyGuardian®/SeaGuardian®. The company is dedicated to providing long-endurance multi-mission solutions that deliver persistent situational awareness and rapid strike capability.
For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com.
Avenger, EagleEye, Gray Eagle, Lynx, Predator, Reaper, SeaGuardian, and SkyGuardian are registered trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries.