Integration of Sierra Nevada’s ESM technology builds on several other significant capability improvements to the Gray Eagle UAS.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has concluded flight testing of Sierra Nevada’s electronic support measures (ESM) system aboard the MQ-1C Gray Eagle Extended Range, the manufacturer announced on 15 October.
The ESM equipment detects and collects critical information from outside a threat range and relays it to ground commanders. General Atomics indicates that the upgraded Gray Eagle system will be able to perform detection and targeting outside weapon engagement zones, affording mission assurance to the US Army.
GA-ASI has not disclosed a timeline for operational deployment or confirmed how many Gray Eagles will receive the upgrade.
The flight tests come as the US Army works to modernise the Gray Eagle for long-range sensing to target hostile integrated air defence systems (IADS). This latest electronic warfare update follows a contract award in April 2026 for the airframer to provide the Gray Eagle with an electronic intelligence capability, also aimed at geo-locating threats.
“Combining long-range detection with the range and persistence of the Gray Eagle ensures that commanders always know when an adversary’s IADS is operating,” says GA-ASI president David R Alexander.
The open-architecture of the Gray Eagle makes this further integration “simple but impactful”, according to General Atomics.
The electronic warfare upgrade could improve the Gray Eagle’s stand-off performance and survivability.
The need to balance persistent surveillance with aircraft survivability has been highlighted by losses during the US conflict with Iran. The US Air Force has reportedly lost “at least” 45 MQ-9 Reaper UAS by August 2026, with each having a unit cost of $56.5 million.
While the Reaper losses underline the risks UAS face in contested environments, the updated Gray Eagle’s specific detection range has not been disclosed.
However, the MQ-1C Gray Eagle Extended Range has a maximum flight endurance of 40-42h, compared with the legacy Gray Eagle’s 25h endurance. This extended range and endurance alongside the upgraded ESM capability would allow the type to maintain persistent surveillance over extended periods, helping to counter common air defence tactics such as short radar emissions.
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