Defense & Military
GA-ASI and Saab Develop Unmanned AEW&C System for MQ-9B Drone
GA-ASI and Saab partner to integrate AEW&C on MQ-9B drone, providing cost-effective, persistent surveillance against modern aerial threats.
A New Era of Vigilance: Unmanned AEW&C Takes Flight
The landscape of aerial surveillance is on the cusp of a significant transformation. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and Swedish defense giant Saab are joining forces to integrate advanced Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) capabilities onto the MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). This collaboration, solidified by the announcement of a planned demonstration in the summer of 2026, signals a pivotal shift towards unmanned platforms for complex surveillance missions. The initiative aims to deliver a persistent, cost-effective solution for monitoring airspace, addressing a spectrum of threats from sophisticated cruise missiles to swarms of small Drones.
Traditionally, AEW&C capabilities have been the domain of large, manned aircraft, making them a costly and resource-intensive asset accessible to a limited number of nations. The integration of Saab’s world-class sensor technology with GA-ASI’s long-endurance MQ-9B platform is set to democratize this critical capability. By leveraging an unmanned system, the Partnerships seeks to provide continuous “eyes in the sky” without risking aircrew in contested environments, a crucial advantage in modern geopolitical climates. This development is not just an incremental improvement; it represents a fundamental rethinking of how air and maritime dominance can be achieved and maintained.
The forthcoming demonstration at GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon flight operations facility in Southern California will be a critical milestone. It will showcase the fusion of two leading technologies: the proven persistence and reliability of the MQ-9B and the sophisticated detection power of Saab’s AEW&C systems. The goal is to create a force multiplier that can augment existing fleets, extend surveillance ranges, and offer a powerful new tool for nations that currently lack this vital defensive layer. As threats evolve in complexity and accessibility, this partnership is poised to deliver a timely and adaptable response.
The Strategic Partnership: Merging Endurance with Advanced Sensing
The collaboration between GA-ASI and Saab is a natural synergy of their respective strengths. GA-ASI is a world leader in the design and manufacture of RPAs, with the MQ-9B series, including the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian models, setting the standard for long-endurance unmanned Aircraft. These platforms are renowned for their ability to stay aloft for extended periods, offering unparalleled persistence for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The MQ-9B boasts an endurance of over 40 hours and a service ceiling of up to 40,000 feet, making it an ideal host for a demanding mission package like AEW&C.
On the other side of the partnership, Saab brings decades of expertise in developing cutting-edge Radar-Systems and sensor systems. Their Erieye radar system, a cornerstone of their GlobalEye AEW&C platform, is known for its ability to detect and track a wide array of targets over vast distances, including stealthy aircraft and low-flying cruise missiles. By adapting this technology for an unmanned platform, Saab is extending its reach into a new operational domain. The integration will involve pairing these advanced sensors with the MQ-9B, creating a system capable of simultaneous air, sea, and land surveillance.
The joint offering is designed to be versatile, spanning a wide range of applications from early detection and warning to long-range tracking and flexible combat system integration. This capability will be delivered over both line-of-sight and satellite communication links, ensuring that critical data can be relayed in real-time to command centers and other assets. The result is a system that not only sees the battlespace with clarity but also shares that vision seamlessly across a networked force.
“We’re developing an affordable AEW solution in cooperation with Saab… that will transform our customers’ operations against both sophisticated cruise missiles and simple but dangerous drone swarms.”, David R. Alexander, President, GA-ASI.
Redefining Operational Calculus: Cost, Persistence, and Safety
One of the most compelling arguments for an unmanned AEW&C platform is the significant reduction in operational costs. Manned AEW&C aircraft are expensive to procure, operate, and maintain. An MQ-9B-based solution offers the potential for similar, if not superior, persistence at a fraction of the cost, making it an attainable capability for a much broader range of countries. This cost-effectiveness allows nations to field a credible surveillance and early warning system without the prohibitive expense associated with traditional platforms.
Persistence is another key advantage. The ability of the MQ-9B to remain on station for more than a day provides continuous, uninterrupted surveillance of a designated area. This is a critical factor in maintaining situational awareness, particularly in dynamic threat environments where gaps in coverage can be exploited. For maritime operations, this capability is especially transformative, offering the potential for persistent AEW&C from naval carriers or land bases to protect fleets where such coverage may be limited or unavailable.
Furthermore, the unmanned nature of the platform fundamentally changes the risk equation. In high-threat environments, deploying a manned aircraft means putting a highly trained crew in harm’s way. The MQ-9B AEW&C eliminates this risk, allowing commanders to gather critical intelligence in contested airspace without fear of personnel loss. This factor alone is a powerful driver for the adoption of unmanned systems in increasingly complex and dangerous operational theaters.
A Force Multiplier for Modern Militaries
The introduction of an MQ-9B AEW&C system is not just about replacing existing assets; it’s about creating new strategic possibilities. For nations that already operate sophisticated AEW&C fleets, the unmanned platform can serve as a valuable supplement, extending the reach and endurance of their existing systems and providing a more layered defense. It can also be integrated into manned-unmanned teaming concepts, where the RPA acts as a forward sensor, feeding data back to manned aircraft or command centers, enhancing the overall operational effectiveness of the force.
For countries without existing AEW&C capabilities, this new system is a game-changer. It provides a powerful and affordable means to counter emerging threats, from hostile aircraft and missiles to the growing challenge of drone swarms. The MQ-9B is already being acquired or deployed by numerous countries, including the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, and Japan, creating a ready market for this new AEW&C variant. The ability to add such a critical capability to an existing or planned fleet of RPAs presents a highly attractive proposition.
The system’s versatility extends to its potential deployment from both land bases and naval vessels, including aircraft carriers. This opens up new possibilities for providing organic AEW&C support to maritime task forces, a capability that has traditionally been limited to a few of the world’s largest navies. By making persistent aerial surveillance more accessible and flexible, the GA-ASI and Saab partnership is poised to enhance the defensive and offensive capabilities of Military-Aircraft around the globe.
Concluding Section
The collaboration between GA-ASI and Saab to mount an AEW&C system on the MQ-9B platform is a landmark development in military aviation. By combining a proven long-endurance RPA with state-of-the-art sensor technology, they are creating a solution that addresses the core challenges of modern aerial surveillance: cost, persistence, and risk. The planned 2026 demonstration will be a crucial step in proving the viability of this concept and showcasing its potential to transform how nations monitor and defend their airspace.
Looking ahead, the successful integration of AEW&C capabilities onto an unmanned platform will likely accelerate the trend towards more autonomous and networked military systems. It opens the door to new operational concepts, such as persistent surveillance of vast maritime domains and the effective management of complex airspaces in high-threat scenarios. This initiative is more than just a new product; it’s a glimpse into the future of air power, where the synergy of manned and unmanned systems creates a more vigilant, resilient, and capable force.
FAQ
Question: What is the main goal of the GA-ASI and Saab partnership?
Answer: The primary goal is to integrate Saab’s advanced Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) sensor systems onto GA-ASI’s MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) to provide a persistent, affordable, and lower-risk surveillance solution.
Question: When is the flight demonstration scheduled to take place?
Answer: A flight demonstration of the AEW&C-equipped MQ-9B is scheduled for the summer of 2026 at GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon flight operations facility in Southern California.
Question: What are the key advantages of an unmanned AEW&C platform?
Answer: The main advantages include significantly lower operational costs compared to manned aircraft, enhanced persistence with the ability to stay airborne for over 40 hours, and the elimination of risk to aircrew in dangerous or contested environments.
Question: Which countries might be potential customers for this new system?
Answer: Countries that have already ordered or are operating the MQ-9B platform, such as the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Japan, India, and the U.S., are seen as potential customers for the new AEW&C variant.
Sources: GA-ASI
Photo Credit: GA-ASI
Defense & Military
NSPA Issues RFP for NATO Next Generation Rotorcraft Program
NSPA formally launches the NGRC Concept Design RFP, with four manufacturers competing for a six-nation helicopter replacement program.
The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has formally issued a Request for Proposal for the Concept Design phase of the Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability program, advancing a six-nation effort to replace aging medium multi-role Helicopters fleets.
Announced in a press release on August 10, 2026, the procurement targets a service entry between 2035 and 2040. The NSPA is managing the process on behalf of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Four pre-qualified Manufacturers will compete in this phase: Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo Helicopters, The Boeing Company, and Sikorsky.
Advancing the concept design phase
The Request for Proposal (RFP) officially opened on July 31, 2026, and requires the four bidders to submit their concept design proposals by August 31, 2027, at 12:00 Paris Time. Under the procurement guidelines, each manufacturer can propose a maximum of two concept design solutions.
Maxime Martinez, Principal Procurement Officer for the Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) Programme at NSPA, confirmed the launch of the new phase.
I am pleased to announce that the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has launched the next phase of the Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) Programme: a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) to qualified bidders linked to the competition for the Concept Design phase of NGRC.
The NSPA is utilizing a procurement mechanism called Acquisition by Qualified Options. This framework allows the participating nations to evaluate digital trials within an in-house modeling and simulation environment before committing to physical prototypes. The agency plans to complete the bid evaluation process by the end of 2027, at which point it will deliver an evaluation summary report to the participating nations.
Industry positioning and proposals
The four pre-qualified bidders, selected following a Pre-Qualification Assessment that closed in October 2025, have already begun positioning their offerings for the multi-national replacement program.
In February 2026, Airbus Helicopters revealed two distinct concepts for the NGRC study. The European manufacturer is developing both a high-performance conventional helicopter and a high-speed compound rotorcraft that leverages technology from its Racer demonstrator program. Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, announced in July 2026 that it would establish helicopter production facilities in Europe if the partner nations select its proposal.
The NSPA is encouraging broader industry participation through the primary bidders rather than direct submissions. Martinez stated that potential suppliers, technology providers, and industrial partners should engage directly with Airbus Helicopters, The Boeing Company, Leonardo Helicopters, or Sikorsky to contribute to the program.
AirPro News analysis
We view the NSPA decision to utilize the Acquisition by Qualified Options mechanism as a critical step in mitigating the technical and financial risks historically associated with clean-sheet rotorcraft development. By mandating digital trials in a simulated environment before advancing to physical prototypes, the participating nations can rigorously evaluate the aerodynamic and operational viability of complex designs, such as the compound concept proposed by Airbus Helicopters.
Sikorsky’s preemptive commitment to European production highlights the intense political and economic stakes of the NGRC program. With five European nations and Canada funding the development, North American bidders like Sikorsky and The Boeing Company will likely need to guarantee substantial industrial offsets and local manufacturing to remain competitive against indigenous European prime contractors like Airbus and Leonardo. The requirement for up to two concepts per bidder also provides the NSPA with a broad spectrum of conventional and advanced high-speed rotorcraft options to evaluate against the harmonized operational baseline.
Photo Credit: Airbus
Defense & Military
HAL and Safran Sign Aravalli Engine Co-Development Contract
HAL and Safran finalize the Aravalli engine contract via SAFHAL JV to power India’s IMRH and DBMRH helicopters by 2032-2033.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Safran Helicopter Engines have finalized a contract to co-develop the new-generation Aravalli engine, marking a definitive shift in Indian aerospace manufacturing from licensed production to indigenous propulsion design.
The agreement, signed on August 26, 2026, in Bengaluru, India, formalizes the design, development, manufacture, and lifecycle support of the engine through SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Pvt. Ltd. SAFHAL is a 50:50 joint venture between the two aerospace manufacturers. The Aravalli engine is slated to power India’s future 13-ton Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) and its naval variant, the Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH).
Technical specifications and manufacturing
The Aravalli engine will operate in the 3,500 to 4,000 shaft horsepower (shp) class. Under the terms of the agreement, HAL will gain access to core engine technologies, including the high-pressure compressor, power turbine, and accessory gearbox. This technology transfer is designed to build domestic intellectual property and expertise in high-power engine design.
Manufacturing operations for the Aravalli program will be based at HAL’s facility in Tumakuru, Karnataka. Safran Helicopter Engines Chief Executive Officer Cédric Goubet noted the precedent set by the agreement in a press release issued by HAL.
“This is the first time Safran HE has taken up such a class of engine as co-development. The Aravalli engine programme represents a new chapter in the strategic relationship between France and India, combining the expertise of our teams to develop propulsion systems for future Indian rotorcraft.”
Development timeline and strategic shift
The final contract follows a multi-year negotiation and planning phase. HAL and Safran initially signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the project in July 2022, followed by detailed workshare discussions at Aero India in February 2023. The companies executed an airframer contract on August 30, 2024, to commence joint design work.
The design and development phase is targeted for completion between 2032 and 2033. Once operational, the IMRH platform is intended to replace the Indian Air Force’s aging fleet of Mil Mi-17 Helicopters. HAL Chairman and Managing Director Ravi K emphasized the domestic industrial impact of the program.
“The signing of this contract marks a significant step forward in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in aero-engine technologies. Through this collaborative programme with SAFHAL and Safran Helicopter Engines, we are creating a strong foundation for powering next-generation Indian helicopter platforms.”
AirPro News analysis
The Aravalli engine contract represents a critical maturation point for India’s defense aviation sector. Historically, Indian aerospace manufacturing has relied heavily on licensed production of foreign designs, which limits domestic engineering capability and intellectual property ownership. By securing a 50:50 co-development structure that includes core engine components like the high-pressure compressor and power turbine, we view this agreement as a foundational step toward true Propulsion independence for the Indian military. If the 2032 to 2033 development timeline holds, HAL will be positioned not just as an assembler, but as a primary original equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for high-power rotorcraft engines.
Sources: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Photo Credit: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Defense & Military
Raytheon Wins $603M Contract for B-52H Radar Modernization
Raytheon secures $603M USAF contract to produce the AN/APQ-188 AESA radar for the B-52H fleet under the B-52 Radar Modernization Program.
This is a developing story. Information may change as official details are released.
Raytheon has secured a $603,000,000 sole-source contract from the U.S. Air Force (USAF) to produce and sustain the new AN/APQ-188 radar for the Boeing B-52H Stratofortress fleet, advancing a critical modernization effort despite the recent loss of the program’s primary test aircraft.
The U.S. Department of Defense announced the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract on August 25, 2026, following the official award on August 21, 2026. The agreement establishes the ceiling value for the production phase of the B-52 Radar Modernization Program (RMP). The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (FFO) in Ohio is the contracting activity, obligating $46,008,396 in fiscal 2026 aircraft procurement funds with the initial delivery order.
Upgrading the B-52 radar capabilities
The RMP replaces the bomber’s 1960s-era mechanically scanned AN/APQ-166 radar with the Raytheon AN/APQ-188, an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) system. The new Radar-Systems is a derivative of the AN/APG-79 used on the F/A-18 and forms a cornerstone of the broader B-52J upgrade package designed to keep the fleet operational into the 2050s.
According to the Department of Defense, Raytheon will perform the contract work across multiple facilities, including Forrest, Mississippi; El Segundo, California; McKinney, Texas; and Warner Robins, Georgia. The contract is expected to be completed by August 20, 2031.
Program continuity following testbed loss
The production contract award follows a major setback for the RMP during the flight testing phase. On June 15, 2026, the sole B-52 radar testbed aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base (EDW) in California. The USAF confirmed the accident resulted in the deaths of all eight crew members on board, which included military personnel, government civilians, and contractors. The official cause of the accident remains under Investigation by the USAF.
Despite the loss of the initial testbed, military officials have confirmed the modernization program will proceed. According to reporting by DefenseScoop, Col. Spencer Turner, the B-52 System Program Manager, stated that the original acquisition strategy always included two test aircraft.
Turner confirmed that work on the second aircraft is actively underway at The Boeing Company facility in San Antonio, Texas. He noted that the service expects to “complete the full modification and put the full radar suite onto the aircraft this year and proceed with testing.” Following the June 15, 2026 accident, the active USAF fleet stands at 75 B-52H bombers.
AirPro News analysis
The decision to award a $603,000,000 production contract just two months after the loss of the primary testbed underscores the firm commitment of the USAF to the B-52J upgrade timeline. Because the AN/APQ-188 is heavily derived from an existing, mature AESA system, the service likely views the radar technology itself as low-risk, separating the radar’s production readiness from the ongoing investigation into the June 15 accident. We note that delaying the production contract until a second testbed completes flight trials would have likely pushed the B-52J initial operational capability timeline to the right, a delay the USAF appears unwilling to accept as it plans to operate the airframe for another three decades.
Sources: U.S. Department of Defense
Photo Credit: US Air Force
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