General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
is partnering with Saab to develop Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) capability for its line of MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft, that includes the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian models, the United Kingdoms Protector, and the brand-new MQ-9B STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) model currently in advancement.
GA-ASI strategies to fly AEW on MQ-9B in 2026.
High and low-tech air threats both position significant challenges to international air forces, stated GA-ASI President David R.
Alexander.
Were establishing an affordable AEW service in cooperation with Saab, the leading service provider of AEW&C systems, that will transform our consumers operations versus both sophisticated cruise rockets and easy but harmful drone swarms.
Were also making AEW ability possible in areas it does not exist today, such as from some navy warships at sea.GA-ASI will combine Saabs AEW sensors with the worlds longest-range, highest-endurance unmanned aircraft system (UAS), the MQ-9B.
At sea or over land, the AEW mission bundle on MQ-9B will put air dominance within reach at a lower expense than tradition platforms.We are bringing our remarkable capability to identify and track difficult challenge customers wanting to use MQ-9B to meet their particular requirements.
This unmanned medium-altitude AEW option, leveraging core competencies of both companies, has excellent potential to complement our existing AEW&C portfolio and supply customers with yet another innovative ability, says Carl-Johan Bergholm, head of Saabs service location Surveillance.The MQ-9B AEW option will use critical aloft noticing to prevent tactical air, guided rockets, drones, and other hazards at a fraction of the expense of manned platforms.
Operational accessibility for medium-altitude long-endurance UAS is the highest of any military aircraft, and as an unmanned platform, its aircrew are not put into harms method.
AEW for MQ-9B will augment existing AEW fleets by extending their effective varieties.
It also offers air forces that need AEW, however do not have tradition platforms, an effective and economical means to counter threats.GA-ASI and Saabs AEW offering will cover a vast array of applications, including early detection and warning; long-range detection and tracking; synchronised target tracking and versatile fight system combination, all over line-of-sight and SATCOM connectivity.MQ-9B is the worlds 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 assistance of the Special Operations Command.
MQ-9B has likewise supported different U.S.
Navy workouts, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, RIMPAC, and Group Sail.Sources: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.; SAAB