July 18, 2025 – Aviation News — The first Belgian Air Force aircrew has successfully completed operational training on the MQ-9B SkyGuardian®, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) announced. The training, conducted across multiple locations—including Belgium, GA-ASI’s Flight Test & Training Center in North Dakota, and the Desert Horizon facility in California—equips Belgium to operate one of the world’s most advanced remotely piloted aircraft.
The curriculum covered critical systems such as the Multi-Spectral Targeting System (MTS), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Mission Intelligence Station (MIS), and STARE. It also prepared operators for normal and emergency ISR operations, ATLC, and instrument flight.
Belgium’s first MQ-9B flew in February and is expected to arrive in-country by September following acceptance testing. The aircraft is the first of four purchased via the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, which also includes two Certified Ground Control Stations.
Photo Marcel van Leeuwen
