Mentioned:General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.Saab
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and Saab completed advanced flight tests of the LoyalEye AEW radar payload mounted on the MQ-9B, demonstrating simultaneous tracking of multiple airborne and maritime targets at long ranges. The system is on track for 2026 operational status with high worldwide customer interest, including potential procurement by the UK Royal Navy for Carrier Strike requirements.
What's happening
- GA-ASI and Saab conducted flight tests over several months using a company-owned MQ-9B carrying Saab's LoyalEye radar in specialized AEW pods from Desert Horizon facility in Southern California.
- The MQ-9B successfully demonstrated simultaneous tracking of multiple instrumented red fighter jets and commercial aircraft at long ranges in representative operational scenarios.
- The AEW pods first flew in May 2026, with the partnership between GA-ASI and Saab announced in June 2025 to develop an unmanned, persistent airborne early warning capability.
Why it matters
- Unmanned AEW capability replaces historical dependence on large crewed aircraft, extending surveillance coverage through the MQ-9B's long endurance and persistent airborne sensing across contested operating environments.
- The system enables distributed Battle Management Command and Control by positioning unmanned sensors closer to contested airspace while manned AEW aircraft remain at safe distances, reducing aircrew exposure.
- Unmanned AEW introduces affordable surveillance against sophisticated cruise missiles and drone swarms in geographic areas where larger platforms cannot operate, expanding air defense options for allied navies.
Going deeper
- The integration comprises three specialized pods: two under-wing pods hosting radar arrays and one centerline pod for processing units, available for MQ-9B, SkyGuardian, SeaGuardian, and UK Protector RG1 variants.
- UK Ministry of Defense identified MQ-9 as a candidate for Royal Navy Carrier Strike Airborne Early Warning requirements, representing potential procurement by allied naval forces.
- Saab developed LoyalEye as complement to its existing Erieye aerial AESA radar used on GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft, though relationship between the two systems remains unspecified.
Source: theaviationist.com · Oct 28, 2026 · Drafted with Claude, reviewed by Industrial Base Alpha.
