RPAS - Defence Industry Europe

The German Heron TP (GHTP), produced by UAV PEO at the Directorate of Defense, Research and Development at the IMoD and Israel Aerospace Industries, has flown in German airspace for the first time. The Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) was customized for the unique requirements of the German Ministry of Defence, as part of a joint venture between IAI, Israel’s Ministry of Defense’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), and Airbus.

Heron TP RPAS has made its first flight over Germany

Air, Important / By Defence Industry Europe

The German Heron TP (GHTP) RPAS, enables the German Armed Forces to expand its strategic and tactical capabilities, while ensuring interoperability with NATO partners.

The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) is working with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to make important upgrades to their growing fleet of MQ-9A Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). The RNLAF announced in 2023 that they will double their number of MQ-9A Reapers from four to eight and now are making upgrades to their aircraft to include capabilities such as maritime radars, a communications relay, extended range fuel tanks, electronic support measures (ESM), and weapons. The upgrades will take place incrementally over the next three years.

The Netherlands to upgrade their MQ-9A capabilities

Air, Top / By Defence Industry Europe

The Royal Netherlands Air Force is working with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. to make important upgrades to their growing fleet of MQ-9A Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).

Leonardo will be developing the mission system for Eurodrone, the MALE-class (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) remotely piloted aircraft set to strengthen Europe's strategic defence autonomy with high-performance independent operational systems. The aircraft's Airborne Mission System (AMS) incorporates a suite of advanced sensors, including radar and the Multi Purpose Mission Computer (MPMC). Within the programme, worth a total of 7 billion euro, Leonardo is playing a key role through an industrial workshare regarding the on-board electronics and aerostructures component, which in addition to the AMS also includes the Airborne Electrical & Environmental Control System, the Airborne Armament System and the design and production of the aircraft's entire wing structure.

EU grants additional subsidies to Eurodrone programme

EU, Air / By Defence Industry Europe

The European Commission’s decision to provide additional funding for the Eurodrone programme highlights its commitment to promoting Europe’s defence capabilities.

GA-ASI, in cooperation with the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), conducted a series of tests on GA-ASI’s Sonobuoy Dispensing System (SDS) using the MQ-9B SeaGuardian Unmanned Aircraft System.

GA-ASI tests sonobuoy dispensing System with MQ-9B SeaGuardian

Sea / By Defence Industry Europe

GA-ASI, in cooperation with the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), conducted a series of tests on GA-ASI’s Sonobuoy Dispensing System (SDS) using the MQ-9B SeaGuardian Unmanned Aircraft System.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) flew the XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) for the first time on February 28, 2024. OBSS is an Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) program and GA-ASI was selected in 2021 to design, build and fly the new aircraft.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems makes first flight of XQ-67A OBSS

Air / By Defence Industry Europe

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) flew the XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) for the first time on February 28, 2024.

As the Royal Air Force approaches ten years of supporting the coalition in the Middle East maintaining stability in the region, the RAF’s MQ-9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) continues to play a critical role.

Royal Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drones play critical role in Middle East

Air, Top / By Defence Industry Europe

As the Royal Air Force approaches ten years of supporting the coalition in the Middle East maintaining stability in the region, the RAF’s MQ09 Reaper Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) continues to play a critical role.

The United States Department of State has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale of MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft to India, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on February 2.

U.S. approves sale of 31 MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones to India

Air / By Defence Industry Europe

The United States Department of State has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale of MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft to India.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) conducted the first flight of the Gray Eagle 25M (GE-25M) Unmanned Aircraft System at its El Mirage, Calif. flight facility on Dec. 5, 2023. The first flight marks a significant milestone in the Gray Eagle modernization program as the U.S. Army continues to develop the Multi-Domain Operations (MDO)-capable GE-25Ms for U.S. Army active duty and National Guard units. The flight follows the award of an undefinitized contract on Dec. 1, 2023, not to exceed $389 million for the Gray Eagle 25M Production Representative Test Aircraft. The GE-25M is expected to be in service for the Army into the 2050’s.

General Atomics: Gray Eagle 25M makes its first flight

Air, Top / By Defence Industry Europe

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) conducted the first flight of the Gray Eagle 25M (GE-25M) Unmanned Aircraft System.

The Royal Netherlands Air Force has announced on social media the deployment of General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper drones to Romania. These Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) will be stationed at Campia Turzii air base in Romania, primarily for reconnaissance missions along NATO's eastern border.

Royal Netherlands Air Force deploys MQ-9A Reaper drones to Romania

Air, NATO / By Defence Industry Europe

The Royal Netherlands Air Force has announced on social media the deployment of General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper drones to Romania.

L3Harris is providing 11 state-of-the-art WESCAM MX-20D EO/IR sensor systems to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) for Canada’s fleet of MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). Delivery of L3Harris’ systems to GA-ASI is scheduled to start in 2024 with the first aircraft delivery to the RCAF expected in 2028.

L3Harris to provide WESCAM MX-20D EO/IR systems for Canadian MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones

Air / By Defence Industry Europe

Canada’s fleet of MQ-9B SkyGuardian RPAS equipped with L3Harris’ WESCAM MX-20D will provide a significant advancement in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

On December 5, 2023, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) completed a major milestone with the full-scale fatigue testing of an MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). The team completed the “first lifetime” of fatigue testing – which is equivalent to 40,000 operating hours – and represents an important step in validating the design of the airframe system. The testing is part of the aircraft certification to the NATO standard STANAG 4671, where the aircraft will ultimately be tested through three lifetimes, thereby proving the 40,000 hour lifetime of the airframe.

GA-ASI completes first lifetime for full-scale fatigues test on MQ-9B

Air / By Defence Industry Europe

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) completed a major milestone with the full-scale fatigue testing of an MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).

The Government of Canada has signed a contract to purchase a fleet of MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). The order includes the associated Certified Ground Control Stations and support equipment from GA-ASI. The first delivery is expected in 2028.

Canada orders the MQ-9B SkyGuardian RPAS from GA-ASI

Air / By Defence Industry Europe

The Government of Canada has signed a contract to purchase a fleet of MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI)