Aviation News – U.S. Army Awards GA-ASI Contract for Advanced EW Integration on Gray Eagle
The U.S. Army has awarded General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) a new contract to integrate an open architecture Electronic Warfare (EW) capability onto its MQ-1C Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The move marks a major step in expanding the drone’s role in multi-domain operations and deep-sensing missions across the Indo-Pacific region.
The new capability, compliant with the C5ISR Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS), is the third EW system to be integrated into the Gray Eagle’s modular chassis. This enhancement follows previous additions such as Electronic Attack, Communications Relay, Counter-UAS, and Signals Intelligence tools. GA-ASI’s Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA) enables rapid integration and adaptability, allowing the U.S. Army to update and deploy advanced electronic capabilities more efficiently.
Technically, the upgrade will allow the Gray Eagle to perform deep sensing and electronic warfare missions over extended ranges, improving its survivability and lethality in contested environments. The modular, “plug-and-play” design means that new systems can be added without extensive reengineering, strengthening the Army’s operational flexibility across its Extended Range (ER) and Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) variants.
“Persistent, long-endurance, long-range UAS combined with EW means that the U.S. Army division commanders can apply the powerful EW effects of the Gray Eagle to neutralize threats to the maneuver force at a time and location of their choosing,” said David R. Alexander, President of GA-ASI.
GA-ASI will work in partnership with AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) to integrate the SharkCage Expeditionary C5ISR Chassis (ECCv3) onto the aircraft. Since 2024, the two companies have collaborated to demonstrate a range of modular and interoperable technologies designed to strengthen battlefield awareness and command capabilities.
The integration of the new EW system underscores the Army’s commitment to modernizing its unmanned fleet and enhancing situational awareness across long-range operations. With this upgrade, the Gray Eagle is poised to play a central role in future electronic warfare and intelligence missions, supporting U.S. forces in increasingly complex global theaters.
