General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has completed the first flight of an MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft fitted with airborne early warning pods, in a development that could bring persistent air surveillance capability to uncrewed platforms for the first time, the company stated.
The validation flight took place on 19 May from GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon facility in Southern California using a company-owned aircraft. The flight is described as the first step in a development process expected to take several months, culminating in a full-capability demonstration later this year. The AEW sensor, named LoyalEye, is being provided through a partnership with Saab, announced last year.
GA-ASI President David Alexander said the capability would address a genuine operational gap. “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. Operational availability for a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS is the highest of any military aircraft, and as an unmanned platform, its aircrews are not put into harm’s way.”
Carl-Johan Bergholm, Senior Vice President and Head of Business Area Surveillance at Saab, said LoyalEye extended the capabilities of manned systems rather than replacing them. “This partnership integrates MQ-9B with LoyalEye, equipping operators with vital information for critical decision-making. It offers persistent surveillance and greater operational flexibility, enhancing situational awareness and boosting mission success.”
The AEW capability is intended to span early detection and warning, long-range detection and tracking, and simultaneous target tracking, operating over both line-of-sight and satellite communications links. MQ-9B variants include the SkyGuardian, SeaGuardian, the UK’s Protector variant, and a short takeoff and landing configuration currently in development for carrier operations.
The UK operates the MQ-9B as Protector, with the RAF having begun receiving the platform to replace its ageing fleet of Reaper aircraft. The addition of an AEW capability to the platform would, if pursued, be a big expansion of what Protector could offer the RAF, potentially providing persistent wide-area air surveillance.
Could leonardo offer radar pods for these too, be good to get more of these for the carriers to replace the baggers.
It has a name! LoyalEye is a bit weak, not great work from SAAB.
Just in time for the DIP, perhaps?
So the RAF could supplement the ridiculous low numbers of E-7s? Or replace them if it really is a flying Ajax.
The RN if Sea Guardian is viable from QE and POW could provide persistent coverage with 2 or 3 per carrier.
Wonder if the pods could be carried on either side of a Merlin?
They could, Lockheed Martin proposed something similar with vigilant AESA pods for the Crowsnest requirement. Then we spent a decade and hundreds of millions just to move over the old radars.
From what I’ve read, following the Mojave trial, the plan is to use the mq9b to replace the Merlin AEW capability so that they can be used for their other missions. This protectors, fitted with the naval kit, would then fly from the carriers. The Merlin’s don’t fly high enough or loiter long enough to be nearly as effective as this will be.
Will we buy any? for the carrires and because just now we have NO working AWACs and only 3 to do every where when they finally do enter service.