Airborne Early Warning Pods Tested Successfully
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) achieved a significant milestone on May 19, 2026, by completing the first flight of its MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft equipped with Airborne Early Warning (AEW) pods. This flight took place in Southern California.
Conducted at GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon flight operations facility, the test used a company-owned aircraft to validate the AEW radar pods. These pods were developed in collaboration with Saab, marking the beginning of a development process expected to span several months.
Equipping MQ-9B models, including SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian, with the AEW capability will enhance air surveillance in regions currently lacking such resources. The LoyalEye sensor provides persistent and cost-effective monitoring.
According to David R. Alexander, President of GA-ASI, “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.”
Strategic Partnership with Saab
Last year, GA-ASI and Saab announced their partnership with the goal of integrating the LoyalEye sensor into the MQ-9B platform. This collaboration aims to expand the aircraft’s surveillance capabilities and provide a significant operational advantage.
Carl-Johan Bergholm, Senior Vice President and Head of Business Area Surveillance at Saab, remarked, “This partnership integrates MQ-9B with LoyalEye, equipping operators with vital information for critical decision-making.”
The AEW technology will enable long-range detection, simultaneous target tracking, and flexible system integration. Situational awareness is enhanced over line-of-sight and SATCOM connectivity.
GA-ASI plans a full-capability demonstration of the MQ-9B with AEW pods later this year, further establishing its role in modern air surveillance.
Development of the MQ-9B platform, including the new MQ-9B STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) configuration, is underway for naval aircraft carriers. These developments highlight the strategic importance of the platform in defence technology.
Renowned for building Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), GA-ASI has logged over 9 million flight hours with its Predator line, including the MQ-9A Reaper, MQ-1C Gray Eagle, and MQ-20 Avenger. The company is committed to providing long-endurance, multi-mission solutions.
