Latest GA Autonomous Jet Demo Features Live Air-to-Air Engagement Capability
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, furnished by GA-ASI, acted as a CCA surrogate in a sensor Emission Control (EMCON) environment. It was operated autonomously and controlled using distributed-edge C2 nodes powered by Optix.C2 and Omniview software. Optix.C2, a product from General Atomics-Intelligence, provided low-latency, localized C2 functionality while remaining networked to the broader operational picture, enabling real-time coordination across multiple domains.
Dr. Brian Ralston, President of GA-Intelligence, applauded the joint effort. "This demonstration illustrates the value of integrating cutting-edge and proven technologies across the GA enterprise. The Optix data platform and C2 capability enable rapid integration and experimentation to address critical DoD and IC needs."
General Atomics successfully fused space-based sensing and tactical sensing with the C2 node during the flight, giving the aircraft access to a complete real-time threat picture for enhanced onboard autonomous decision-making. The demonstration also included live coordination of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and kinetic tasking through a unified operator interface capable of deployment in virtually any cloud environment.
During the exercise, the live MQ-20 aircraft autonomously patrolled a designated Combat Air Patrol (CAP) zone, leveraging off-board sensors to demonstrate how passive collection techniques can inform autonomous platforms in real time. Four CCA surrogates - one live and three virtual - were directed by an operator to investigate multiple targets of interest. Upon identifying them as threats, the operator issued a command to initiate the BLOS engagement. The autonomous systems maneuvered into position, simulated missile launches, assessed battle damage, and returned to CAP without additional operator input.
"This demonstration represents a substantial leap in autonomy and human-machine interfaces that are critical to the warfighter in the near-peer fight," said Michael Atwood, Vice President of Advanced Programs at GA-ASI. "By integrating Optix.C2 with TacACE, we're delivering a system that not only operates at the tactical edge but also enables rapid decision-making and execution across the battlespace. This is the future of warfare - scalable, autonomous systems that empower the warfighter to dominate at range."
GA-ASI continues to develop and validate autonomy products that deliver scalable, collaborative aircraft behavior with minimal operator input. GA-Intelligence provided multi-sensor global fusion and engagement orchestration algorithms and interfaces. This latest milestone expands the company's autonomy portfolio with access to a complete threat picture while advancing critical-edge C2 capabilities and intuitive operator interfaces.
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®, 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.
About GA-Intelligence
General Atomics Integrated Intelligence, Inc. is a data science, software development, and systems engineering firm focused on developing advanced analytic capabilities to customers in both public and private sectors, with a strong emphasis on tools in support of spatio-temporal (space and time) data management, multi-source/multi-INT correlation and data fusion, tracking, entity resolution, location forecasting, and multi-domain global situational awareness (MDGSA) leveraging extremely high volume/velocity data sources. For more information, visit www.ga-intelligence.com.
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
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
Camino Announces High-Grade Copper, with Bornite, Trench Results of 90 Meters at 1.07 % Copper including 4 Meters at 3.05% Copper in New Mirador Zone at Los Chapitos in Peru16.7.2025 12:00:00 CEST | Press release
Appoints New CFO for the Copper Development Stage in Chile and Peru VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / July 16, 2025 / Camino Minerals Corporation (TSXV:COR)(OTC PINK:CAMZF) ("Camino" or the "Company") is pleased to announce high‐grade copper trench results from the Mirador prospect located in the Diva trend, one of several prospective targets at the Company's Los Chapitos Copper Project ("Los Chapitos" or the "Project") in Peru. The new mineralized body identified at Mirador could represent the northwesterly continuation of the Adriana mineralized copper zone where over 20,000 meters of drilling has been completed. There are clear lithological, mineralogical, and structural similarities observed at Adriana, Mirador, and Katty that share the same structural control across the Diva trend fault. Importantly, this primary and oxide copper surface exposure mineralization is within intrusive, potential source rocks, that typically underlay the volcanic Chocolate Formation. The package of vol
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