Latest news with #MQ-9B
Miami Herald
16-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
GA-ASI Adds Saab Airborne Early Warning Capability to MQ-9B
New Capability Will Transform Airborne Early Warning Access and Affordability for MQ-9B Customers SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / June 16, 2025 / General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is partnering with Saab to develop Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) capability for its line of MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft, which includes the SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian® models, the United Kingdom's Protector, and the new MQ-9B STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) model currently in development. GA-ASI plans to fly AEW on MQ-9B in 2026. "High and low-tech air threats both pose major challenges to global air forces," said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. "We're developing an affordable AEW solution in cooperation with Saab, the leading provider of AEW&C systems, that will transform our customers' operations against both sophisticated cruise missiles and simple but dangerous drone swarms. We're also making AEW capability possible in areas it doesn't exist today, such as from some navy warships at sea." GA-ASI will pair Saab's AEW sensors with the world's longest-range, highest-endurance unmanned aircraft system (UAS), the MQ-9B. At sea or over land, the AEW mission package on MQ-9B will put air dominance within reach at a lower cost than legacy platforms. The MQ-9B AEW solution will offer critical aloft sensing to defend against tactical air, guided missiles, drones, and other threats at a fraction of the cost of manned platforms. Operational availability for medium-altitude long-endurance UAS is the highest of any military aircraft, and as an unmanned platform, its aircrew are not put into harm's way. AEW for MQ-9B will augment existing AEW fleets by extending their effective ranges. It also gives air forces that need AEW, but lack legacy platforms, a powerful and affordable means to counter threats. GA-ASI and Saab's AEW offering will span a wide range of applications, including early detection and warning; long-range detection and tracking; simultaneous target tracking and flexible combat system integration, all over line-of-sight and SATCOM connectivity. MQ-9B is the world's most advanced medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS. GA-ASI has MQ-9B orders from the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Poland, Japan, Taiwan, India, and the U.S. Air Force in support of the Special Operations Command. MQ-9B has also supported various U.S. Navy exercises, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, RIMPAC, and Group Sail. About GA-ASI General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is the world's foremost builder of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Logging more than 8 million flight hours, the Predator® line of UAS has flown for over 30 years and includes MQ-9A Reaper®, MQ-1C Gray Eagle® 25M, 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. For more information, visit Avenger, EagleEye, Gray Eagle, Lynx, Predator, Reaper, SeaGuardian, and SkyGuardian are trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries. # # # Contact Information GA-ASI Media Relations asi-mediarelations@ 524-8101 SOURCE: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. press release
Miami Herald
16-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Future of Uncrewed Airpower on Display at Paris Air Show
GA-ASI Features Full-Size Model of New YFQ-42A CCA for Affordable Mass and Air Dominance PARIS, FR / ACCESS Newswire / June 15, 2025 / General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) returns to Paris in 2025 with a variety of new products and concepts highlighting the future of uncrewed airpower at its stand in Hall 3, B-176, beginning June 16. The centerpiece of the exhibit is a full-scale model of GA-ASI's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), dubbed YFQ-42A by the U.S. Air Force, in its first international showing. "We're excited to show off the design of our new YFQ-42A CCA at the largest aviation event of the year," said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. "We know the world is paying attention to our CCA development. Ground tests are underway, and we look forward to first flight in the coming weeks, as we once again rewrite the rules of airpower." The CCA is one of the many products and capabilities showcased by GA-ASI in Paris. Other products the company will highlight include its growing line of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), including the MQ-9B SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian®, and the ability to configure the MQ-9B platform with short takeoff and landing (STOL), as well as the development of an Airborne Early Warning (AEW) capability for MQ-9B. The stand will also feature a demonstration of its new release of TacSit-C2®, GA-ASI's tactical situational awareness software for payload Command and Control (C2) that enables operators to plan and execute missions as part of GA's Quadratix software enterprise. About GA-ASI General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is the world's foremost builder of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Logging more than 8 million flight hours, the Predator® line of UAS has flown for over 30 years and includes MQ-9A Reaper®, MQ-1C Gray Eagle® 25M, 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. For more information, visit Avenger, EagleEye, Gray Eagle, Lynx, Predator, Reaper, SeaGuardian, and SkyGuardian are trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries. # # # SOURCE: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. press release
Miami Herald
16-06-2025
- Miami Herald
GA-ASI Announces New PELE Small UAS for International Customers
Small, Uncrewed Launched Effect Delivers Multi-Mission Capability SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / June 16, 2025 / General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), the world leader in unmanned aircraft from the iconic Predator® to the YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft, has unveiled a new small uncrewed launched effect with widespread multi-mission capabilities for the global aerospace and defense market. Inspired by Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of powerful natural forces in the Pacific, the Precision Exportable Launched Effect - PELE - is a small, attrition-tolerant, propeller-driven unmanned aircraft designed to extend the sensing and other capabilities of a mothership aircraft and its user service. PELE is a semi-autonomous unmanned aircraft system (UAS) with an 11-foot wingspan and 16-horsepower engine that extends user reach within challenging environments with potent effects. PELE also could be launched from the ground. The new PELE is optimized for use on the MQ-9B SkyGuardian®, the world's foremost medium-altitude, long-endurance, multi-mission uncrewed aircraft. MQ-9B is in use or being considered for use by a growing number of nations around the world. PELE can fly with an onboard electro-optical infrared sensor for full-motion video as well as other integral sensors. The aircraft also has internal stowage for its own mission payloads. "PELE brings even more versatility to growing MQ-9B fleets around the world," said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. "On one day, an air force might fly an MQ-9B with no external payloads to maximize its patrol time. Then on the next day, the same aircraft could take off and fly with several PELEs that would stand in against the adversary and take the immediate risks to preserve the larger aircraft." For example, MQ-9B might approach a contested boundary from international waters and release PELE to scout through the disputed zone to assess a hostile force's order of battle or detect and precisely geo-locate anti-air systems. PELE is 9 feet in length, has a maximum gross takeoff weight of 250 pounds, 7 hours of endurance and range of 500 nautical miles. About GA-ASI General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is the world's foremost builder of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Logging more than 8 million flight hours, the Predator® line of UAS has flown for over 30 years and includes MQ-9A Reaper®, MQ-1C Gray Eagle® 25M, 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. For more information, visit Avenger, EagleEye, Gray Eagle, Lynx, Predator, Reaper, SeaGuardian, and SkyGuardian are trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries. # # # Contact Information GA-ASI Media Relations asi-mediarelations@ 524-8101 SOURCE: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. press release
Indianapolis Star
16-06-2025
- Indianapolis Star
GA-ASI Announces New PELE Small UAS for International Customers
Small, Uncrewed Launched Effect Delivers Multi-Mission Capability SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESS Newswire General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), the world leader in unmanned aircraft from the iconic Predator ® to the YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft, has unveiled a new small uncrewed launched effect with widespread multi-mission capabilities for the global aerospace and defense market. Inspired by Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of powerful natural forces in the Pacific, the Precision Exportable Launched Effect – PELE – is a small, attrition-tolerant, propeller-driven unmanned aircraft designed to extend the sensing and other capabilities of a mothership aircraft and its user service. PELE is a semi-autonomous unmanned aircraft system (UAS) with an 11-foot wingspan and 16-horsepower engine that extends user reach within challenging environments with potent effects. PELE also could be launched from the ground. The new PELE is optimized for use on the MQ-9B SkyGuardian ®, the world's foremost medium-altitude, long-endurance, multi-mission uncrewed aircraft. MQ-9B is in use or being considered for use by a growing number of nations around the world. PELE can fly with an onboard electro-optical infrared sensor for full-motion video as well as other integral sensors. The aircraft also has internal stowage for its own mission payloads. 'PELE brings even more versatility to growing MQ-9B fleets around the world,' said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. 'On one day, an air force might fly an MQ-9B with no external payloads to maximize its patrol time. Then on the next day, the same aircraft could take off and fly with several PELEs that would stand in against the adversary and take the immediate risks to preserve the larger aircraft.' For example, MQ-9B might approach a contested boundary from international waters and release PELE to scout through the disputed zone to assess a hostile force's order of battle or detect and precisely geo-locate anti-air systems. PELE is 9 feet in length, has a maximum gross takeoff weight of 250 pounds, 7 hours of endurance and range of 500 nautical miles. About GA-ASI General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is the world's foremost builder of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Logging more than 8 million flight hours, the Predator ® line of UAS has flown for over 30 years and includes MQ-9A Reaper ®, MQ-1C Gray Eagle ® 25M, 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. For more information, visit Avenger, EagleEye, Gray Eagle, Lynx, Predator, Reaper, SeaGuardian, and SkyGuardian are trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries. # # # Contact Information GA-ASI Media Relations asi-mediarelations@ (858) 524-8101 SOURCE: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
Miami Herald
09-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
UK MOD Signs Protector Support Contract with GA-ASI
SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / June 9, 2025 / The United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence has signed a support and sustainment contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) for logistics and maintenance of the Protector RG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) system. The contract - known as the UK Protector Availability and Support Solution or UK PASS - will provide ongoing support for the new Protector RPA systems supplied by GA-ASI and now being operated by the UK's Royal Air Force (RAF). The Protector RPA is based on GA-ASI's MQ-9B SkyGuardian®. UK PASS is a Direct Commercial Sale contract and includes support for the Protector program's RPA, the Certifiable Ground Control Stations and the Synthetic Training Systems. "This contract marks an essential milestone in the fielding of the Protector RPA system for the RAF," said Chris Dusseault, Vice President of MQ-9B in Europe. "With the UK PASS contract in place, we can now transition from the test and development phase of the program to training the RAF flight crews for operations." UK PASS is part of GA-ASI's SkyGuardian Global Support Solutions (SGSS), which provides support for the entire MQ-9B customer base. SGSS is a shared Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) model, with resources such as labor, material, and overhead for maintenance, supply management, and other support functions required to sustain the RPA system, pooled together for use by the entire customer base. This approach provides efficiencies and a lower cost for customers. "The awarding of the PASS contract marks three years of intensive work between GA-ASI and UK MOD multidisciplinary teams to turn a concept in to a reality. This has generated a first-in class sustainment solution for the Royal Air Force Protector fleet, that exploits contractor owned inventory from a global common spares pool. This contract differs from a traditional spares and repairs contract, achieving economies of scale via a multi-customer common operating model," said Group Captain Rich Cameron - Uncrewed Air System 3 Team Leader. GA-ASI's MQ-9B is the world's most advanced RPA system, delivering exceptionally long endurance and range. MQ-9B includes the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian® models, with multiple deliveries made to the U.K.'s Royal Air Force (Protector), as well as orders from Canada, Poland, the Japan Coast Guard, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Taiwan, India, and the U.S. Air Force in support of the Special Operations Command. MQ-9B has also supported various U.S. Navy exercises, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, and Group Sail. About GA-ASI General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is the world's foremost builder of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Logging more than 8 million flight hours, the Predator® line of UAS has flown for over 30 years and includes MQ-9A Reaper®, MQ-1C Gray Eagle® 25M, 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. For more information, visit Avenger, EagleEye, Gray Eagle, Lynx, Predator, Reaper, SeaGuardian, and SkyGuardian are trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries. Contact Information: GA-ASI Media Relations asi-mediarelations@ 524-8101 SOURCE: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. press release
