GA-ASI adds Saab AEW&C to MQ-9B

Californian company General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI) is partnering with Swedish defence prime contractor Saab to develop an autonomous Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) capability for the MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft, or Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS). GA-ASI plans to fly the AEW&C system on the 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.”

Last month the French Air Force announced it would acquire two Saab GlobalEye systems using a similar Erieye ER AEW&C payload to the MQ-9B, but mounted on a Bombardier Global Express 6000 business jet. France has an option to acquire two more aircraft. These will replace the French Air Force’s four Boeing E-3F AWACS which have reached the end of their lives of type; the first aircraft in the fleet was delivered in 1991.

GA-ASI says the pairing of Saab’s AEW&C sensors with the MQ-9B AEW 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, at sea or over land. It will use both line-of-sight and SATCOM connectivity.

The MQ-9B AEW solution, adds the company, will augment existing AEW&C fleets by extending their effective ranges, and also gives air forces that need AEW, but lack legacy platforms, a powerful and affordable means to counter threats.