Tag: MQ-9

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Air Force (USAF) to demonstrate the Air Force Research Lab’s “Agile Condor” capability using a company-owned MQ-9 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). The testing will determine the optimum artificial intelligence and machine learning methodologies to find, identify and track select targets. Agile Condor also has the potential to dramatically reduce satellite bandwidth requirements as a result of its ability to automatically identify, classify, and nominate targets of interest.

The U.S. Air Force is planning to increase the weapon loadout on its MQ-9 drones by integrating Guided Bomb Unit-39B/B, also known as laser small diameter bomb (LSDB) onto the drone. The weapon is integrated into the vehicle using a dual carriage system, controlled via universal armament interface. The Reaper currently carries the GBU-12 250 pound Laser Guided Bomb, in addition to Hellfire missiles, both are limited to short range attack patterns.

The remote detection and tracking of submerged contacts, such as submarines, was demonstrated using an MQ-9 Predator B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) during a...

An MQ-9 'Reaper' Block 5 Unmanned aircraft demonstrated the use of Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), as part of an airborne demonstration of the drone's capability to operate on the edge of 'contested airspace'.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI), successfully performed the first flight of the Avenger Extended Range (Avenger ER) remotely piloted aircraft (RPA). With wingspan increased to 76 feet and 2,200 pounds of additional fuel, the ER extends the legacy Avenger’s endurance from 15 hours to 20 hours.

Italy is integrating the Israeli Reccelite tactical reconnaissance pod on its US-made General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) Predator B/ MQ-9 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems. Integration tests are already underway and fielding of the new configuration is expected next year.

Spain has decided to buy four Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones for its air force. According to the Ministry of Defense announcement made on thursday in Madrid, the Government allocated €25 million ($27 million) in the 2016 budget to fund the acquisition of the first system. Both US madse MQ-9 and Israeli Heron TP are considered.

In response to a critical shortage of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) pilots, the U.S. Air Force is investing more than $100 million to buy more ground control stations, simulators and contract instructors. The service will be placing some newly minted pilots in RPA squadrons beginning in August and is offering bonuses of up to $15,000 per year for RPA pilots, beginning in fiscal year 2016.

The US is moving forward with the sale of four General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to the Netherlands. The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) will begin receiving the new drones in 2016 and expects to have the first unit operational in 2017.

MBDA has successfully demonstrated the operation of Dual Mode Seeker Brimstone (DMB) missile from an MQ-9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), scoring nine direct hits...

Exelis is producing improved stores ejector rack for the Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) under a $20.6 million contract awarded by General...

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA ASI) has demonstrated employing the Predator B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) drone on Electronic Attack missions. Two demonstrations...

France has requested buying 16 U.S. General-Atomics (GA-ASI) MQ-9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), a sale that could top US$1.5 bn., The first two will be delivered this year with the remaining shipped in late 2015 or early 2016.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI), has successful developped, integrated and operationally tested a system enabling the transfer of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data...