General Atomics MQ-9

The Japan Coast Guard has acquired a pair of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9B Sea Guardians.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

A new engine war is brewing for the MQ-9 Reaper after GA-ASI flew a second engine type onboard the UAS earlier this month.

AFSOC has been undertaking the plan, called the Adaptive Airborne Enterprise, to have one airman control multiple UAS.

The Corps’ notorious Force Design 2030 plan, first released in 2021, reshaped the service through major steps such as a famous decision to get rid of tanks.

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The conflict in Ukraine is reshaping Poland’s air force, but the service is facing challenges as it grows.

Having shown a single airman can control multiple General Atomics MQ-9s, AFSOC is looking to demonstrate the Reapers can launch a swarm of smaller drones.

According to data from Aviation Week’s Fleet Discovery Military tool, NATO’s ISR fleet only counts 19 aircraft, but these modest numbers belie the strength of the alliance’s combined ISR capability.

Upgrades and replacements are coming for the U.S. Marine Corps’ light- and medium-size rotorcraft fleet, along with advanced new uncrewed aircraft systems.

Collaborative Combat Aircraft and Survivable Airborne Operations Center selections favor private companies as major primes set sights on larger awards.

French defense contractor Turgis Gaillard has begun initial ground tests of its Aarok medium-altitude, long-endurance uncrewed aircraft system.

Acquisitions of new helicopters and airborne early warning aircraft are funded, while other capabilities will be “explored.”

Houthi forces downed a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper on Feb. 19 as American operations targeting the rebel group in Yemen have continued at a high pace.

A promotional video released a few days before the Air Warfare Symposium shows off the XQ-67 Off-board Sensing Station (OBSS) in motion for the first time.

The U.S. State Department has formally approved a potential $3.99 billion sale of 31 General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. MQ-9B UAS to India.

U.S. forces struck the Houthi missile as it was being prepared to launch at an unidentified aircraft.

U.S. Air Force flight-related incidents increased in 2023, while Navy and Marine Corps rates stayed steady.

Danish lawmakers have agreed on a plan to purchase long-range UAS to patrol the Arctic and North Atlantic.

Germany’s navy is to perform a series of flight trials this year with the General Atomics MQ-9 SeaGuardian uncrewed aircraft system.

The long-expected contract award will extend MQ-9B operations to deep within the Arctic Circle.

Despite the conflict in Gaza, the Middle East’s military modernization is continuing.

Hypersonic test company Stratolaunch completed the first taxi test of the Roc carrier aircraft and rocket-configured Talon TA-1 vehicle.

With orders for Edge’s Reach-S UAS, the United Arab Emirates has joined the growing list of nations capable of developing armed drones.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. will get a chance next year to prove the Predator is worthy of a long-term contract from the U.S. Navy.