GA-ASI is integrating Saab’s AEW sensors with the MQ-9B to provide persistent surveillance over land and sea. The firms say the combination is intended to extend AEW coverage to regions where it is unavailable or unaffordable, including for naval carrier groups.
“Adding AEW&C to the MQ-9B brings a critical new capability to our platform,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “We want to deliver a persistent AEW&C solution to our global operators that will protect them against sophisticated cruise missiles as well as simple but dangerous drone swarms.”
The MQ-9B family includes SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian, the United Kingdom’s Protector variant, and the MQ-9B STOL model now in development. GA-ASI states that the unmanned platform’s operational availability exceeds that of any military aircraft while removing aircrew from risk.
According to the companies, the AEW package for MQ-9B will support aloft sensing against munitions, missiles, drones and crewed aircraft. They add that the joint AEW offering will cover early warning, long range detection and tracking, and integration with combat systems using line of sight and SATCOM links.
