Combination is described as the ‘world’s first unmanned AEW solution’.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has flown a company-owned MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft for the first time carrying pod-housed airborne early warning (AEW) radar arrays produced by Saab.
Conducted from the US airframer’s Desert Horizon flight operations centre in Southern California on 19 May, the milestone sortie took place less than one year after the partners announced a teaming agreement to offer what they describe as “the world’s first unmanned AEW solution”.
“The flight signalled the first step in a development process that is expected to take several months and culminate with a full-capability demonstration later this year,” GA-ASI says.
Saab’s active electronically scanned array sensor has been given the product name LoyalEye, in a nod to the Swedish company’s crewed GlobalEye system, which is based on the Bombardier Global 6000/6500 platform.
“AEW for MQ-9B will offer critical aloft sensing to defend against tactical air munitions, guided missiles, drones, fighter and bomber aircraft, and other threats, GA-ASI president David R Alexander says.
“Once the AEW sensor is made available to MQ-9B operators and new customers, it will deliver persistent and cost-effective air surveillance capabilities in regions where it is currently unavailable,” the company notes.
“LoyalEye extends the capabilities of manned systems, and offers persistent surveillance and greater operational flexibility,” says Carl-Johan Bergholm, head of Saab’s Surveillance business unit. “This enhances situational awareness and boosts mission success.”
Speaking to FlightGlobal at last November’s Dubai air show, officials from both companies pointed to significant early interest in the AEW development, and indicated that an operational system could be fielded by 2029. Their collaboration had been announced in June 2025.
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