General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has set a company record with its unmanned aircraft achieving more than 9 million flight hours since the company’s inception 33 years ago.
This milestone was supported by ongoing flight operations of GA-ASI’s newest third unmanned fighter jet, the YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft, developed for rapid, large-scale, and cost-effective production.
Alongside these test flights, GA-ASI also has as many as 50 unmanned aircraft in flight at any given time, supporting global security for U.S. and allied users worldwide.
GA-ASI’s line of UAS includes aircraft such as the Predator®, Reaper®, Gray Eagle®, Avenger®, and MQ-9B SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian®.
Since the first flight of the RQ-1 Predator on July 3, 1994, GA-ASI’s aircraft have been a key asset for the U.S. and its allies. Redesignated as the MQ-1 Predator in 2002, the RQ-1 Predator was later followed by the MQ-1C Gray Eagle, MQ-9A Reaper, and MQ-20 Avenger as GA-ASI advanced the role and capabilities of uncrewed aircraft.
GA-ASI recently started delivering its new MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian aircraft. The MQ-9B is an advanced Remotely Piloted Aircraft System, offering long endurance and range, fully automated takeoff and landing via pole-to-pole satellite-only control, and the ability to operate in unsegregated airspace with GA-ASI’s Detect and Avoid system.
The company has delivered MQ-9B aircraft to the U.K.’s Royal Air Force (Protector) and the Belgian Air Force, and is currently fulfilling orders for Canada, Denmark, Poland, Japan, Taiwan, India, and the U.S. Air Force in support of Special Operations Command. MQ-9B has also participated in multiple U.S. Navy exercises, such as Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, and Group Sail.
GA-ASI has been developing new aircraft and operational concepts as well as shaping the future of airpower. The company built and operates the XQ-67A Off Board Sensing Station, its second uncrewed combat jet, for the U.S. Air Force Research Lab.
When commenting on this flight milestone, David R. Alexander, GA-ASI President, stated, “What an amazing moment. Having spent so much time supporting the U.S. military and its allies around the world with our other aircraft, it seems fitting that flight testing our new unmanned fighter jet for the U.S. Air Force was what helped bring us past this milestone as we look ahead to a program that will change air dominance again.”
