SAN DIEGO, — General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and Swedish defense company Saab have successfully completed advanced flight tests of an Airborne Early Warning (AEW) system integrated onto the MQ-9B uncrewed aircraft. The tests used Saab’s LoyalEye radar and were conducted at GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon flight operations facility in Southern California.
The flight evaluations demonstrated the system’s ability to detect, track and classify multiple airborne and maritime targets over long distances. The MQ-9B simultaneously tracked commercial aircraft and instrumented red fighter jets simulating adversary aircraft. Stakeholders observed the capability in real time during a representative operational scenario.
The testing follows the system’s first flight on May 19, 2026. The partnership between GA-ASI and Saab was announced in June 2025, with plans to demonstrate the uncrewed AEW capability during 2026.
MQ-9B Gains Airborne Early Warning Capability
The LoyalEye radar is installed in external payload pods, allowing the MQ-9B to carry the system without permanent structural modifications. The integration combines the drone’s long endurance with Saab’s radar technology to provide persistent air and maritime surveillance.
Airborne early warning operations have traditionally relied on large crewed aircraft. The uncrewed MQ-9B configuration offers an alternative for monitoring large areas while reducing aircrew exposure in high-risk environments.
According to Saab, the system can operate independently or alongside existing crewed AEW&C platforms, including Saab’s GlobalEye aircraft. It is designed to support Battle Management Command and Control (BMC2) from ground stations, ships or other aircraft using existing network infrastructure.
MQ-9B Variants and Potential Customers
The MQ-9B is a medium-altitude, long-endurance uncrewed aircraft offering more than 40 hours of endurance, all-weather performance and type certification.
The AEW capability is intended for GA-ASI’s MQ-9B family, including the SkyGuardian, SeaGuardian, UK Protector and STOL versions. The STOL variant is under development for naval aircraft carrier operations.
GA-ASI President David R. Alexander said the flight test was one of the company’s most highly anticipated evaluations, adding that international customer interest in the MQ-9B AEW capability was extremely high.
Carl-Johan Bergholm, head of Saab’s Surveillance business area, said LoyalEye adds flexibility, extends surveillance reach and enables more efficient use of resources in demanding environments.
GA-ASI confirmed that it is discussing the uncrewed AEW capability with several international customers. The UK Royal Navy has been identified as a potential candidate as it seeks a replacement for its ageing Crowsnest helicopter radar systems, which are expected to retire at the end of 2029. However, no specific customer, production contract or operational service-entry date has been announced.
The new system is intended to complement existing crewed airborne early warning aircraft while providing persistent surveillance and allowing human aircrews to remain outside the aircraft during missions.
——— End of Article ———