Latest news with #MQ-9BSkyGuardian
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (LHX) to Support Canada's National Security with Advanced ISR Imaging Technology
On Monday, L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:LHX) announced it was awarded a contract by the Canadian Commercial Corporation for 16 WESCAM MX-20 surveillance and targeting systems for the Royal Canadian Air Force's P-8A aircraft. The systems will help conduct critical maritime and overland patrol and reconnaissance missions. A military jetfighter against a deep blue sky with the sun behind it. Tom Kirkland, Vice President and General Manager, Targeting and Sensor Systems, at L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:LHX) stated the following on the agreement: 'Integrating our proven technology with the P-8A equips Canada with the most advanced ISR imaging solution. Maritime and national security, including missions in the Arctic, require extremely reliable systems like the WESCAM MX-20 to enhance critical security coast-to-coast.' The latest contract builds on L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:LHX)'s announcement last year to supply 11 WESCAM MX-20 systems for Canada's fleet of MQ-9B SkyGuardian, a remotely piloted aircraft. The company has delivered approximately 8,000 WESCAM MX-Series EO/IR systems to customers worldwide. These systems are active in more than 87 countries, supporting air, land, and sea missions on over 260 different platforms. L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:LHX) is a vital player in the aerospace and defense industry, specializing in end-to-end technology solutions connecting the air, space, land, and sea domains in national security. The company is currently being tapped for America's $175B Golden Dome System project. You can read more on this here. While we acknowledge the potential of LHX as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than LHX and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: ChatGPT Stock Advice: Top 12 Stock Recommendations and 10 Cheap Rising Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None.
Daily Mail
22-04-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Top secret US spy drone gets deadly laser that MELTS missiles mid-air amid fears of World War III
A US weapons company has unveiled a first-of-its-kind laser that can be mounted onto spy drones, allowing them to melt missiles in mid-air. General Atomics unveiled the new defense technology at the Sea Air Space 2025 event in National Harbor, Maryland this month. The company equipped its MQ-9B SkyGuardian — an autonomous intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) drone — with this laser. It currently emits about 25 kilowatts of energy, enough to disable or destroy small targets. This system could help the US military take down large groups of low-cost, disposable drones. But General Atomics claims it could be scaled up to as much as 300 kilowatts, which could take down large aircraft and missiles by melting or burning through their critical infrastructure. What's more, the laser can emit both pulsed and continuous bursts of energy and is capable of operating in all types of environments. At the event, video footage showed the MQ-9B using the laser to shoot down incoming attack drones similar to Iran's Shahed 'kamikaze' drones, which were heading toward a navy ship for the purposes of this demonstration. Using a laser-equipped drone to destroy small attack drones or cruise missiles would save the military thousands of dollars, as expensive, non-reusable missiles are currently used to conduct this type of defense. A laser beam can't be directly destroyed, and it will keep inflicting damage as long as it has power. But the biggest caveat to this technology is that a drone's power supply is limited, which means the laser could falter in the field. The MQ-9B drone is capable of flying for more than 40 hours on a single charge, but the addition of the laser will likely reduce its battery life, though its unclear by how much. Still, the development of this system marks an important step toward operationalizing airborne high-energy lasers (HEL) for defense. The US military has been working toward this goal for years, but faced numerous technological, logistical and financial hurdles that staunched progress. The Air Force's Self-protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD) program, which aimed to develop technologies that could protect aircraft from incoming missiles, was scrapped in 2024 without a prototype or test flights to show for their efforts. But the Air Force Research Lab, which launched the project, said it had made 'significant advances in the readiness of airborne HEL technology.' It's possible that some of these gains informed the design of MQ-9B's new laser, though General Atomics' technology is the result of an entirely separate research and development effort. The MQ-9B drone is capable of flying for more than 40 hours on a single charge, but the addition of the laser will likely reduce its battery life, though its unclear by how much The company's breakthrough comes at a time when the need for this system may be greater than ever, as swarming drones and kamikaze-style attacks like the ones seen in Ukraine and the Middle East are becoming cheaper, faster and more common. In recent months, Russia has doubled down on its use of Iranian-made Shahed kamikaze drones against Ukraine, using them to target civilian infrastructure and residential areas. From August 1, 2024 to March 1, 2025, Ukraine recorded that Russia launched 15,011 Shahed-type strike drones, according to the Institute for Science and International Security. Traditional defense mechanisms like missiles are too expensive and too slow to handle a multitude of small, fast-moving threats. But a laser can tackle this type of assault efficiently, precisely and cost-effectively.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
GA-ASI and CAE Sign Long-Term Agreement to Develop the Next Generation MQ-9B SkyGuardian(R) Mission Trainer
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA / / February 18, 2025 / General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. and CAE are pleased to announce a long-term agreement for the development and production of the next-generation mission trainer for GA-ASI's MQ-9B SkyGuardian® remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS). The contract with GA-ASI includes a firm order for 11 mission trainers, with the opportunity to deliver up to 50 devices over the next five years. The agreement brings together two industry leaders to enhance the training capabilities for operators of MQ-9B and builds on the long-standing business relationship between GA-ASI and CAE. Recognized globally as the reference in synthetic training for RPAS, CAE leverages the latest visualization technology in the development of the next-generation MQ-9B SkyGuardian Mission Trainers. The trainers will employ the CAE Prodigy Image Generator to provide a highly realistic training environment to replicate flight operations. Powered by a state-of-the-art gaming engine, CAE Prodigy elevates training standards through an enhanced immersive training environment, high-fidelity graphics, and physics-based simulation. This cutting-edge technology enhances the realism and effectiveness of the training, ensuring that operators are well-prepared for their missions. MQ-9B is the world's most advanced RPAS delivering exceptionally long endurance and range, with auto takeoff and landing under pole-to-pole SATCOM-only control and will be able to operate in unsegregated airspace using the GA-ASI-developed Detect and Avoid system. MQ-9B includes the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian® models, as well as the new Protector RG Mk1 that is currently being delivered to the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force. The platform is building a global operator list, with procurement contracts signed with Belgium, Canada, Poland, the Japan Coast Guard, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Taiwan, India, and the U.S. Air Force in support of Special Operations Command. MQ-9B has also supported various U.S. Navy exercises. "GA-ASI and CAE have worked together to deliver leading-edge training to our customers for more than two decades," said Jaime Walters, vice president of International Strategic Development at GA-ASI. "Through this partnership, we will continue to enhance operational readiness and effectiveness for MQ-9B operators worldwide, and in particular, we see the new SkyGuardian Mission Trainers supporting our new Canadian customer. CAE's comprehensive training solutions ensure that personnel are well-prepared to operate these advanced RPAS efficiently and safely." GA-ASI's partnership with CAE is part of its Team SkyGuardian Canada initiative, which is focused on GA-ASI's collaboration and investment with Canadian businesses following the Government of Canada's selection of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian. "This agreement underscores our commitment to advancing the capabilities of RPAS training and ensuring that MQ-9B SkyGuardian operators worldwide have access to the best training tools available," said Marc-Olivier Sabourin, Division President, CAE Defense & Security, International. "Our knowhow, expertise, and experience put our customers on the cutting edge of training and readiness. Through our long-term relationship with General Atomics, we are proud to be the key partner of choice for training solutions involving remotely piloted aircraft systems." CAE is a leading provider of flight training and services and works in partnership with the world's most advanced OEMs and defense forces to deliver integrated training solutions that ensure operational excellence and mission readiness. About GA-ASI General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable RPA systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. With more than eight million flight hours, GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent situational awareness. The company also produces a variety of sensor control/image analysis software, offers pilot training and support services, and develops meta-material antennas. For more information, visit Avenger, Gray Eagle, Lynx, Predator, Reaper, SeaGuardian, and SkyGuardian are trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries. About CAE At CAE, we equip people in critical roles with the expertise and solutions to create a safer world. As a technology company, we digitalize the physical world, deploying software-based simulation training and critical operations support solutions. Above all else, we empower pilots, cabin crew, maintenance technicians, airlines, business aviation operators, and defence and security forces to perform at their best every day and when the stakes are the highest. Around the globe, we're everywhere customers need us to be with approximately 13,000 employees in more than 240 sites and training locations in over 40 countries. CAE represents more than 75 years of industry firsts-the highest-fidelity flight and mission simulators as well as training programs powered by digital technologies. We embed sustainability in everything we do. Today and tomorrow, we'll make sure our customers are ready for the moments that matter. Follow us on Twitter: @CAE_Inc Facebook: # # # Contact Information GA-ASI Media Relations asi-mediarelations@ SOURCE: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
