Latest news with #MQ9B
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US vendors tussle over Norway's maritime-surveillance drone business
MILAN — Competition is heating up for Norway's envisioned Arctic-capable, long-range maritime drones, as two American manufacturers have entered the race. As part of the 2025-2036 Norwegian Defense Pledge, Oslo has committed to acquiring new unmanned aerial systems to be stationed at the Andøya Air Station, some 300 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. Earlier this year, it was revealed that the Norwegian Ministry of Defense contacted U.S.-based manufacturers including Northrop Grumman and General Atomics with a request for information. A General Atomics spokesman told Defense News in March that the company had already responded to the solicitation pitching its MQ-9B SeaGuardian, while Northrop Grumman officials have said they are offering the MQ-4C Triton. Meanwhile, a Norwegian defense official said the drone project remains at a concept stage. 'At this stage, Forsvarsmateriell (NDMA) is working closely with the Norwegian Air Force to support a concept selection study – because we are still defining requirements and evaluating operational needs, no flight tests have been scheduled and no final decision point has been set,' Brigadier General Jarle Nergård, director of NDMA Air Systems Division said. Still, competition for the prospective business has drawn out direct comparisons among the American vendors. Jane Bishop, vice president and general manager of global surveillance at Northrop Grumman, published an article on the company's website on June 25 criticizing the MQ-9B. She described the competitor drone as a 'medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) system capable of only about half the service ceiling' of Triton. 'The lower service ceiling has also led to increased risk, as losses have been seen over the past year with multiple MALE aircraft being shot down,' the article states. It also noted that if Norway were to select the General Atomics' drone, it would need to buy approximately 'four times as many units as more capable HALE [the category of the Triton] aircraft.' A spokesman for General Atomics said the company had no comment. The survivability of both American drones has been challenged by some experts in the past. In her article, when mentioning losses, Bishop was likely referring to an incident where three U.S. drones were shot down in April by the Houthis in Yemen – which were Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles, not the SeaGuardian variant. Northrop systems have not been immune either to adversaries acquiring more sophisticated counter-drone capabilities. In 2019, an Iranian surface-to-air missile shot down the U.S. Navy Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (or BAMS-D) drone, which was a predecessor to the MQ-4C Triton. An important capability for Norway will be to have the chosen drone complement the country's P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol fleet to assist them in monitoring large bodies of open water found across its territory. Norway has acquired five P-8As, with the first units delivered in 2022, that have gradually replaced the Nordic country's aging fleet of P-3 Orion and DA-20 Jet Falcon aircraft. Both the SeaGuardian and the Triton can interface with the P-8, according to the manufacturers. Previously, the U.S. partnered with Australia to jointly develop the Triton's interoperability with the Australian P-8s, while the SeaGuardian also conducted an unmanned-manned teaming with the British Royal Air Force's P-8 aircraft in 2021. Norwegian officials have not disclosed the amount they will dedicate to the purchase of long-range maritime drones. The government recently announced that it has invested approximately $620 million to support the maritime coalition, led by the United Kingdom, to develop and produce unmanned surface vessels in Ukraine using Kongsberg technology.
Associated Press
16-06-2025
- Associated Press
GA-ASI Announces New PELE Small UAS for International Customers
Small, Uncrewed Launched Effect Delivers Multi-Mission Capability SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / June 16, 2025 / General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), the world leader in unmanned aircraft from the iconic Predator® to the YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft, has unveiled a new small uncrewed launched effect with widespread multi-mission capabilities for the global aerospace and defense market. Inspired by Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of powerful natural forces in the Pacific, the Precision Exportable Launched Effect - PELE - is a small, attrition-tolerant, propeller-driven unmanned aircraft designed to extend the sensing and other capabilities of a mothership aircraft and its user service. PELE is a semi-autonomous unmanned aircraft system (UAS) with an 11-foot wingspan and 16-horsepower engine that extends user reach within challenging environments with potent effects. PELE also could be launched from the ground. The new PELE is optimized for use on the MQ-9B SkyGuardian®, the world's foremost medium-altitude, long-endurance, multi-mission uncrewed aircraft. MQ-9B is in use or being considered for use by a growing number of nations around the world. PELE can fly with an onboard electro-optical infrared sensor for full-motion video as well as other integral sensors. The aircraft also has internal stowage for its own mission payloads. 'PELE brings even more versatility to growing MQ-9B fleets around the world,' said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. 'On one day, an air force might fly an MQ-9B with no external payloads to maximize its patrol time. Then on the next day, the same aircraft could take off and fly with several PELEs that would stand in against the adversary and take the immediate risks to preserve the larger aircraft.' For example, MQ-9B might approach a contested boundary from international waters and release PELE to scout through the disputed zone to assess a hostile force's order of battle or detect and precisely geo-locate anti-air systems. PELE is 9 feet in length, has a maximum gross takeoff weight of 250 pounds, 7 hours of endurance and range of 500 nautical miles. About GA-ASI General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is the world's foremost builder of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Logging more than 8 million flight hours, the Predator® line of UAS has flown for over 30 years and includes MQ-9A Reaper®, MQ-1C Gray Eagle® 25M, MQ-20 Avenger®, and MQ-9B SkyGuardian®/SeaGuardian®. The company is dedicated to providing long-endurance, multi-mission solutions that deliver persistent situational awareness and rapid strike. For more information, visit Avenger, EagleEye, 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. # # # Contact Information GA-ASI Media Relations [email protected] (858) 524-8101 SOURCE: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. press release
Associated Press
16-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
GA-ASI Adds Saab Airborne Early Warning Capability to MQ-9B
New Capability Will Transform Airborne Early Warning Access and Affordability for MQ-9B Customers SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / June 16, 2025 / General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is partnering with Saab to develop Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) capability for its line of MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft, which includes the SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian® models, the United Kingdom's Protector, and the new MQ-9B STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) model currently in development. GA-ASI plans to fly AEW on MQ-9B in 2026. 'High and low-tech air threats both pose major challenges to global air forces,' said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. 'We're developing an affordable AEW solution in cooperation with Saab, the leading provider of AEW&C systems, that will transform our customers' operations against both sophisticated cruise missiles and simple but dangerous drone swarms. We're also making AEW capability possible in areas it doesn't exist today, such as from some navy warships at sea.' GA-ASI will pair Saab's AEW sensors with the world's longest-range, highest-endurance unmanned aircraft system (UAS), the MQ-9B. At sea or over land, the AEW mission package on MQ-9B will put air dominance within reach at a lower cost than legacy platforms. The MQ-9B AEW solution will offer critical aloft sensing to defend against tactical air, guided missiles, drones, and other threats at a fraction of the cost of manned platforms. Operational availability for medium-altitude long-endurance UAS is the highest of any military aircraft, and as an unmanned platform, its aircrew are not put into harm's way. AEW for MQ-9B will augment existing AEW fleets by extending their effective ranges. It also gives air forces that need AEW, but lack legacy platforms, a powerful and affordable means to counter threats. GA-ASI and Saab's AEW offering will span a wide range of applications, including early detection and warning; long-range detection and tracking; simultaneous target tracking and flexible combat system integration, all over line-of-sight and SATCOM connectivity. MQ-9B is the world's most advanced medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS. GA-ASI has MQ-9B orders from the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Poland, Japan, Taiwan, India, and the U.S. Air Force in support of the Special Operations Command. MQ-9B has also supported various U.S. Navy exercises, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, RIMPAC, and Group Sail. About GA-ASI General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is the world's foremost builder of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Logging more than 8 million flight hours, the Predator® line of UAS has flown for over 30 years and includes MQ-9A Reaper®, MQ-1C Gray Eagle® 25M, MQ-20 Avenger®, and MQ-9B SkyGuardian®/SeaGuardian®. The company is dedicated to providing long-endurance, multi-mission solutions that deliver persistent situational awareness and rapid strike. For more information, visit Avenger, EagleEye, 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. # # # Contact Information GA-ASI Media Relations [email protected] (858) 524-8101 SOURCE: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. press release
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Yahoo
GA-ASI Announces New PELE Small UAS for International Customers
Small, Uncrewed Launched Effect Delivers Multi-Mission Capability SAN DIEGO, CA / / June 16, 2025 / General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), the world leader in unmanned aircraft from the iconic Predator® to the YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft, has unveiled a new small uncrewed launched effect with widespread multi-mission capabilities for the global aerospace and defense market. Inspired by Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of powerful natural forces in the Pacific, the Precision Exportable Launched Effect - PELE - is a small, attrition-tolerant, propeller-driven unmanned aircraft designed to extend the sensing and other capabilities of a mothership aircraft and its user service. PELE is a semi-autonomous unmanned aircraft system (UAS) with an 11-foot wingspan and 16-horsepower engine that extends user reach within challenging environments with potent effects. PELE also could be launched from the ground. The new PELE is optimized for use on the MQ-9B SkyGuardian®, the world's foremost medium-altitude, long-endurance, multi-mission uncrewed aircraft. MQ-9B is in use or being considered for use by a growing number of nations around the world. PELE can fly with an onboard electro-optical infrared sensor for full-motion video as well as other integral sensors. The aircraft also has internal stowage for its own mission payloads. "PELE brings even more versatility to growing MQ-9B fleets around the world," said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. "On one day, an air force might fly an MQ-9B with no external payloads to maximize its patrol time. Then on the next day, the same aircraft could take off and fly with several PELEs that would stand in against the adversary and take the immediate risks to preserve the larger aircraft." For example, MQ-9B might approach a contested boundary from international waters and release PELE to scout through the disputed zone to assess a hostile force's order of battle or detect and precisely geo-locate anti-air systems. PELE is 9 feet in length, has a maximum gross takeoff weight of 250 pounds, 7 hours of endurance and range of 500 nautical miles. About GA-ASI General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is the world's foremost builder of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Logging more than 8 million flight hours, the Predator® line of UAS has flown for over 30 years and includes MQ-9A Reaper®, MQ-1C Gray Eagle® 25M, MQ-20 Avenger®, and MQ-9B SkyGuardian®/SeaGuardian®. The company is dedicated to providing long-endurance, multi-mission solutions that deliver persistent situational awareness and rapid strike. For more information, visit Avenger, EagleEye, 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. # # # Contact Information GA-ASI Media Relations asi-mediarelations@ 524-8101 SOURCE: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
GA-ASI Adds Saab Airborne Early Warning Capability to MQ-9B
New Capability Will Transform Airborne Early Warning Access and Affordability for MQ-9B Customers SAN DIEGO, CA / / June 16, 2025 / General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is partnering with Saab to develop Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) capability for its line of MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft, which includes the SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian® models, the United Kingdom's Protector, and the new MQ-9B STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) model currently in development. GA-ASI plans to fly AEW on MQ-9B in 2026. "High and low-tech air threats both pose major challenges to global air forces," said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. "We're developing an affordable AEW solution in cooperation with Saab, the leading provider of AEW&C systems, that will transform our customers' operations against both sophisticated cruise missiles and simple but dangerous drone swarms. We're also making AEW capability possible in areas it doesn't exist today, such as from some navy warships at sea." GA-ASI will pair Saab's AEW sensors with the world's longest-range, highest-endurance unmanned aircraft system (UAS), the MQ-9B. At sea or over land, the AEW mission package on MQ-9B will put air dominance within reach at a lower cost than legacy platforms. The MQ-9B AEW solution will offer critical aloft sensing to defend against tactical air, guided missiles, drones, and other threats at a fraction of the cost of manned platforms. Operational availability for medium-altitude long-endurance UAS is the highest of any military aircraft, and as an unmanned platform, its aircrew are not put into harm's way. AEW for MQ-9B will augment existing AEW fleets by extending their effective ranges. It also gives air forces that need AEW, but lack legacy platforms, a powerful and affordable means to counter threats. GA-ASI and Saab's AEW offering will span a wide range of applications, including early detection and warning; long-range detection and tracking; simultaneous target tracking and flexible combat system integration, all over line-of-sight and SATCOM connectivity. MQ-9B is the world's most advanced medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS. GA-ASI has MQ-9B orders from the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Poland, Japan, Taiwan, India, and the U.S. Air Force in support of the Special Operations Command. MQ-9B has also supported various U.S. Navy exercises, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, RIMPAC, and Group Sail. About GA-ASI General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is the world's foremost builder of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Logging more than 8 million flight hours, the Predator® line of UAS has flown for over 30 years and includes MQ-9A Reaper®, MQ-1C Gray Eagle® 25M, MQ-20 Avenger®, and MQ-9B SkyGuardian®/SeaGuardian®. The company is dedicated to providing long-endurance, multi-mission solutions that deliver persistent situational awareness and rapid strike. For more information, visit Avenger, EagleEye, 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. # # # Contact Information GA-ASI Media Relations asi-mediarelations@ 524-8101 SOURCE: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
