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 www.ga-asi.com.
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@ga-asi.com
(858) 524-8101
SOURCE: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
Subscribe to releases from ACCESS Newswire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from ACCESS Newswire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from ACCESS Newswire
Latest GA Autonomous Jet Demo Features Live Air-to-Air Engagement Capability17.7.2025 18:10:00 CEST | Press release
Autonomous Tasking With TacACE and Optix.C2 Showcase Maturity and Operational Readiness SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA / ACCESS Newswire / July 17, 2025 / General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and General Atomics Integrated Intelligence, Inc. (GA-Intelligence) successfully completed a groundbreaking demonstration on July 8, integrating technologies across multiple affiliates to showcase long-range kill chain effects, including an autonomous air-to-air engagement. The flight integrated local and global sensor fusion to deliver real-time situational awareness and autonomous tasking to an airborne MQ-20 Avenger® through the Tactical Autonomy Core Ecosystem (TacACE) to close the kill chain and showcase the system's maturity and operational readiness for the warfighter. The event featured the integration of a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), a fully compliant government-owned autonomy implementation, and beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) Command and Control (C2). The MQ-20 unmanned jet,
Belgian Aircrew Completes MQ-9B Training17.7.2025 18:05:00 CEST | Press release
GA-ASI's MQ-9B SkyGuardian® Training Was Conducted at Multiple Sites, Including Flight Test & Training Center and Desert Horizon SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA / ACCESS Newswire / July 17, 2025 / The first Belgian aircrew has completed training to operate the world's leading remotely piloted aircraft (RPA): the MQ-9B SkyGuardian®. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), designer and developer of the MQ-9B, provided the extensive aircrew training that culminated at GA-ASI's Desert Horizon test facility in El Mirage, California, following stops in Belgium and GA-ASI's Flight Test & Training Center in North Dakota. "Providing all-encompassing training for the aircrews of our customers goes hand in hand with delivering the world's most capable RPA," said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. "Completing this training ensures that Belgium is ready and able to operate their MQ-9Bs and maximize the benefits that come from long-range, high-endurance RPA." The scope of the training is focuse
A New Transatlantic Partnership for European CCA17.7.2025 18:00:00 CEST | Press release
General Atomics announces plans for rapid international uncrewed fighter development FAIRFORD, UK / ACCESS Newswire / July 17, 2025 / General Atomics is taking a bold step toward rapidly delivering a European Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) - based on a mature U.S. platform, assembled in Europe, with European mission systems - by aligning its independent U.S. and German aerospace affiliates under a teamed operation.YFQ-42A The new aircraft is derived from the U.S. Air Force's YFQ-42A prototype, currently in ground testing and scheduled for first flight later this summer, designed and built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) in San Diego, Calif. European mission system customization and manufacturing in Europe will be supported by General Atomics' German aerospace affiliate, General Atomics Aerotec Systems GmbH (GA-ATS), headquartered in Oberpfaffenhofen, near Munich. Leveraging the prior investments of these established aerospace companies on both sides of the A
The Digital Banker17.7.2025 15:30:00 CEST | Press release
In this July 2025 article for the Fast Company Executive Board, Avtar Sehmbi of the Forbes Technology Council explains why Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) are increasingly positioned to lead the future of banking. LONDON, GB / ACCESS Newswire / July 17, 2025 / Artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies are reshaping banking by automating tasks, enhancing data analysis, and enabling personalized services. These tools improve risk management, streamline operations, and boost profitability. Institutions like JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America are already leveraging AI for fraud detection, customer service, and advanced analytics. Meanwhile, AI-powered hedge funds and neobanks use technology to deliver tailored experiences and outperform their peers.Avtar Sehmbi The Digital Banker Fast Company Avtar Sehmbi the Digital banker This shift isn't theoretical; it's already well underway. Digital systems are fully embedded into the everyday operations of financial institutions,
Global Sports Brand U.S. Polo Assn. Launches First Retail Store in Berlin, Germany16.7.2025 16:37:00 CEST | Press release
Brand Targets Aggressive Retail, Wholesale and Ecommerce Expansion WEST PALM BEACH, FL AND BERLIN, GERMANY / ACCESS Newswire / July 16, 2025 / U.S. Polo Assn., the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), is proud to announce its first retail store in Germany alongside its brand partners Incom S.p.a. and Modevertrieb Sarnacchiaro GmbH (MVS). The location of the first U.S. Polo Assn. store in the heart of Berlin is at the premier Alexa Mall at Alexanderplatz and marks the beginning of a strategic retail rollout across the country, which solidifies the multi-billion-dollar brand's global presence in Germany. The new Berlin store is offering a curated selection of men's, women's, undergarments, and beachwear collections - a perfect mix of sports heritage and contemporary spirit.U.S. Polo Assn. Executives J. Michael Prince, Antonio Sarnacchiaro, and Lorenzo Nencini with U.S. Polo Assn. Models U.S. Polo Assn. is a symbol of style that blends sports inspiration and authen
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom