General Atomics and KONGSBERG completed two design reviews on 30th June
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. And KONGSBERG Gruppen ASA have completed two design reviews to integrate the Joint Strike Missile with the MQ-9B uncrewed aircraft system.
On 30th June 2026, the companies finished the System Requirements Review and Preliminary Design Review in Kongsberg, Norway.
Both groups are jointly funding the work to add long-range strike capability for MQ-9B and its customers.
MQ-9B is GA-ASI’s uncrewed aircraft system family, which includes the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian models.
Across land and maritime missions, MQ-9B is built for long-endurance operations and can fly in all weather conditions.
KONGSBERG produces the Joint Strike Missile, or JSM, as a fifth-generation stealth air-to-surface missile for high-priority targets.
According to KONGSBERG, JSM is designed to evade advanced defence systems.
Niki Johnson, GA-ASI Vice President for International Capture and Government Affairs, said: “We recognise the value JSM brings to our MQ-9B platform.”
Johnson added that the integration effort shows how industry can work together to deliver new capability quickly to warfighters.
Jens Gjestvang, Senior Vice President, Missiles and Aerostructures, said the MQ-9B and JSM pairing could support strike missions alongside piloted aircraft or independently.
He also pointed to rising interest across the defence sector in that kind of operational capability.
MQ-9B operators and selections
Current MQ-9B operators include the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force, Belgian Defence and the Japan Coast Guard.
Meanwhile, Canada, Denmark, Poland, Germany, Qatar, Taiwan, India and the U.S. Air Force for Special Operations Command have selected the platform.
MQ-9B has also featured in U.S. Navy exercises including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, RIMPAC and Group Sail.
Separately, KONGSBERG says Norway, Japan, Australia, the US and Germany have selected the JSM.
GA-ASI says its Predator series has logged more than 9 million flight hours.
