GA-ASI Completes First Flight of MQ-9B With AEW Pods

SAN DIEGO, May 21, 2026 – (ACN Newswire) –General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) flew its MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft for the very first time with Airborne Early Warning (AEW) pods. The much-anticipated AEW ability is being supplied through a collaboration with Saab. When the AEW sensing unit, called LoyalEye, is provided to MQ-9B operators and brand-new clients, it will provide relentless and economical air security abilities in areas where it is presently not available.

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GA-ASI performed a recognition flight of MQ-9B utilizing AEW radar pods on May 19 from GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon flight operations center in Southern California utilizing a company-owned airplane. The flight signified the primary step in an advancement procedure that is anticipated to take numerous months and culminate with a full-capability presentation later on this year.

GA-ASI and Saab revealed their collaboration in 2015 with the intent of bringing AEW ability to the MQ-9B platform.

MQ-9B designs consist of the SkyGuardian ® and SeaGuardian ®, the United Kingdom’s MQ-9B variation called Protector, and the brand-new MQ-9B STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) setup presently in advancement for marine warship.

“AEW for MQ-9B will offer critical aloft sensing to defend against tactical air munitions, guided missiles, drones, fighter and bomber aircraft, and other threats. Operational availability for a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS is the highest of any military aircraft, and as an unmanned platform, its aircrews are not put into harm’s way,” stated GA-ASI President David R. Alexander.

“This partnership integrates MQ-9B with LoyalEye, equipping operators with vital information for critical decision-making. LoyalEye extends the capabilities of manned systems, and it offers persistent surveillance and greater operational flexibility. This enhances situational awareness and boosts mission success,” stated Carl-Johan Bergholm, Senior Vice President and Head of Business Area Surveillance at Saab.

GA-ASI and Saab’s AEW offering will cover a wide variety of applications, consisting of early detection and caution, long-range detection and tracking, and synchronised target tracking and versatile system combination – all over line-of-sight and SATCOM connection.

About GA-ASI

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is the world’s primary home builder of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Logging more than 9 million flight hours, the Predator ® line of UAS has actually flown for over 30 years and consists of MQ-9A Reaper ®, MQ-1C Gray Eagle ®, MQ-20 Avenger ®, and MQ-9B SkyGuardian ®/ SeaGuardian ®. The business is devoted to supplying long-endurance, multi-mission options that provide relentless situational awareness and quick strike.

To learn more, check out www.ga-asi.com.

Avenger, EagleEye, Gray Eagle, Lynx, Predator, Reaper, SeaGuardian, and SkyGuardian are hallmarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., signed up in the United States and/or other nations.

GA-ASI Media Relations
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
ASI-MediaRelations@ga-asi.com
(858) 524-8101

SOURCE:General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

Subject: Press release summary