Aviation News – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has partnered with Saab to execute advanced flight testing of an Airborne Early Warning (AEW) system integrated onto an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS).
The flight testing took place over recent months utilizing a GA-ASI-produced MQ-9B equipped with a Saab LoyalEye radar. Operating out of GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon flight operations facility in Southern California, the test successfully demonstrated the capability to simultaneously track multiple airborne and maritime targets at long ranges. The tracked aerial objects included several instrumented red fighter jets alongside commercial aircraft.
The MQ-9B serves as GA-ASI’s flagship uncrewed aircraft system, renowned for its extended endurance, type certification, and all-weather operational performance. Following these successful trials, GA-ASI is actively engaged in discussions regarding unmanned AEW capabilities on the MQ-9B with multiple international customers.
The technological integration leverages lightweight radar engineering with high-altitude endurance. By mounting the advanced sensor suite on an uncrewed platform, operators achieve persistent, long-range surveillance and multi-domain tracking without risking pilot safety during extended patrol missions.
