Defense & Military
U.S. Army Upgrades MQ-1C Gray Eagle ER with Advanced ELINT Capabilities
GA-ASI awarded contract to enhance MQ-1C Gray Eagle ER with ELINT sensors, improving detection of adversary air defenses and supporting MUM-T operations.
This article is based on an official press release from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI).
The U.S. Army has awarded a new contract to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to upgrade its MQ-1C Gray Eagle Extended Range (ER) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) with advanced Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) capabilities. Announced on April 15, 2026, this modernization effort aims to enhance long-range sensing and detect adversary Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS).
According to the official press release from GA-ASI, the upgrade is a critical step in preparing the U.S. Army for Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) in highly contested electromagnetic environments. By integrating advanced radar detection and signal collection technologies, the Army is positioning the Gray Eagle ER as a vital electronic warfare and intelligence node on the modern battlefield.
We note that this development underscores a broader military shift toward Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T), utilizing unmanned assets to improve the survivability of crewed Army aircraft by acting as forward-deployed scouts.
Enhancing the Gray Eagle ER with Open Architecture
Leveraging CMOSS for Rapid Integration
The technological framework for this ELINT upgrade relies heavily on the aircraft’s C5ISR Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS) architecture. As detailed in the GA-ASI release, this open-systems approach enables the U.S. Army to rapidly integrate “best-of-breed” sensors, payloads, and weapons without the need for total system overhauls.
To execute this integration, GA-ASI is partnering with the Army’s Capability Program Executive Office for Intelligence and Spectrum Warfare, alongside defense contractor SNC. This collaborative effort ensures that the drone‘s capabilities can be upgraded efficiently, saving both time and taxpayer resources.
Complementary Intelligence Systems
Beyond the new ELINT sensors, the Gray Eagle ER is being configured with a comprehensive suite of modernized intelligence tools. The company states that these complementary systems include Communications Intelligence (COMINT), Synthetic Aperture Radar/Moving Target Indicator (SAR/MTI), and Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET) radios, which collectively enhance the aircraft’s situational awareness.
Strategic Implications on the Modern Battlefield
Standoff Survivability and MUM-T
The integration of ELINT sensors provides the Gray Eagle ER with the ability to identify and geo-locate critical threats, specifically adversary IADS, while remaining safely outside the kinetic range of enemy anti-aircraft weapons. This standoff capability is essential for modern combat scenarios.
Furthermore, the platform serves as a forward-deployed sensor capable of looking deeply into the battlespace. By feeding real-time data to ground commanders and crewed Army helicopters, the drone facilitates advanced Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T). This operational concept significantly increases the survivability of human pilots, allowing them to remain concealed until a threat is neutralized.
Resilience in Contested Environments
In contemporary warfare, reliance on the electromagnetic spectrum is paramount. The combination of ELINT, COMINT, and SAR allows the Gray Eagle ER to cross-cue intelligence. According to the provided research data, if enemy electronic warfare jams one sensor, the aircraft can rely on its other systems to maintain a persistent lock on adversary positions.
“Combining long-range detection with the range and persistence of the Gray Eagle platforms ensures that commanders always know when an adversary IADS is operating. Gray Eagle’s open systems architecture makes this a simple but impactful upgrade,” stated David R. Alexander, President of GA-ASI, in the company’s press release.
Testing Validation and Background Context
Proven in Project Convergence Capstone-5
The foundation for this recent contract was validated during the U.S. Army’s Project Convergence Capstone-5 (PCC-5) exercise in March 2025. During these tests, the Gray Eagle ER successfully operated in an electronically contested and jammed environment.
According to industry research reports, the aircraft executed persistent Detect, Identify, Locate, and Report (DILR) missions during PCC-5. It also provided mesh network aerial tier support, successfully connecting soldiers and launched effects that would have otherwise been obstructed by terrain or communication range limits.
Powering the Upgrades
The MQ-1C Gray Eagle is a Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) UAS derived from the combat-proven MQ-1 Predator. To support the heavy power demands of these new intelligence sensors, GA-ASI previously upgraded the Gray Eagle ER fleet in 2021. That upgrade introduced a new brushless generator system, which increased the aircraft’s electrical power output by more than 50 percent, reaching up to 14 kilowatts.
AirPro News analysis
At AirPro News, we observe that the U.S. Army’s continued investment in the Gray Eagle ER highlights a definitive pivot toward the “invisible battlefield.” The drone is evolving far beyond its traditional roles of aerial surveillance and kinetic strikes; it is now a sophisticated electronic warfare node. The emphasis on open systems architecture (CMOSS) is particularly noteworthy, as it mirrors the tech industry’s approach to modular hardware and software updates. This strategy ensures the platform remains relevant against rapidly advancing near-peer adversaries without the prohibitive costs and timelines associated with developing entirely new airframes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MQ-1C Gray Eagle ER?
The MQ-1C Gray Eagle Extended Range (ER) is a Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aircraft System used by the U.S. Army. It was developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) as an advanced derivative of the MQ-1 Predator.
What does the new ELINT upgrade do?
The Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) upgrade allows the drone to detect, identify, and geo-locate adversary Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS) from long ranges, improving survivability and intelligence gathering in contested environments.
What is CMOSS?
CMOSS stands for C5ISR Modular Open Suite of Standards. It is an open-systems architecture that allows the military to rapidly integrate new “best-of-breed” sensors and payloads into platforms like the Gray Eagle ER without requiring a complete system overhaul.
Sources
Photo Credit: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.