GA-ASI and Saab Redefine Airborne Early Warning with MQ-9B Drone Integration

In a significant development that could reshape the global airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) landscape, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) announced on 15 June 2025 its partnership with Saab to integrate cutting-edge AEW capabilities onto the MQ-9B series of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). This collaboration promises to deliver an affordable, flexible, and persistent airborne early warning solution that challenges traditional manned platforms in cost, endurance, and operational safety.

At the heart of this initiative is the fusion of Saab’s proven AEW sensor technology—renowned globally for platforms like the GlobalEye and Erieye systems—with GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian®, SeaGuardian®, and the soon-to-be-unveiled MQ-9B STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) variant. The first flight of the AEW-configured MQ-9B is slated for 2026, marking a major milestone in unmanned AEW development.

GA-ASI President David R. Alexander highlighted the strategic imperative behind the move:

“High- and low-tech air threats both pose major challenges to global air forces. 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.”

The MQ-9B AEW package aims to deliver critical airborne sensing against an array of threats—ranging from tactical aircraft and cruise missiles to unmanned drone swarms—at a fraction of the cost and risk of legacy manned platforms like the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye or E-3 Sentry AWACS. With unmatched endurance, capable of 40+ hour missions depending on configuration, MQ-9B AEW can loiter far beyond the reach of manned aircraft and provide persistent coverage over vast areas, including maritime domains where traditional AEW coverage is sparse or absent.

Importantly, the unmanned nature of the MQ-9B means aircrews are kept safely out of harm’s way while operational availability remains extraordinarily high. This makes the system especially attractive for nations lacking the resources or infrastructure to field or sustain expensive manned AEW platforms.

The Saab-GA-ASI AEW solution is designed with versatility in mind:

• Early detection and warning of aerial threats

• Long-range detection and simultaneous tracking of multiple targets

• Integration with national or coalition combat management systems

• Connectivity via line-of-sight and satellite communications (SATCOM)

These capabilities will not only extend the reach of existing AEW assets but also provide a potent stand-alone solution for smaller or emerging air forces seeking to enhance situational awareness and survivability in modern combat environments.

The MQ-9B platform itself is already a favorite among global operators, with orders from the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Poland, Japan, Taiwan, India, and the United States Air Force (Special Operations Command). MQ-9Bs have also proven their mettle in major joint exercises like Northern Edge, RIMPAC, Integrated Battle Problem, and Group Sail, consistently demonstrating their utility across domains.

Beyond traditional military use, this new AEW-configured MQ-9B could be employed for maritime security, homeland defense, border surveillance, and disaster response coordination, further expanding its value proposition for civil and military users alike.

With Saab’s AEW technology aboard, MQ-9B customers could soon access a persistent airborne surveillance capability that was once the preserve of only the wealthiest air forces, helping to close the gap in global airborne early warning coverage.

As the global threat environment grows increasingly complex with the rise of hypersonic weapons, low-observable cruise missiles, and swarming drones, GA-ASI and Saab’s partnership represents a timely and transformative step in modern AEW&C capability.