General Atomics and Saab are pushing the MQ-9B SkyGuardian into a new era, bringing Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) to the remotely piloted aircraft for the first time.
The new capability gives the drone a sort of “sixth sense”: early warning, simultaneous target tracking, and seamless integration with other combat systems through line-of-sight and satellite links.
It also enables crucial aerial awareness to detect and counter a wide range of threats, from guided missiles and hostile drones to fighter jets and bombers.
The upgrade is designed to extend persistent air surveillance to areas where AEW coverage is limited or prohibitively expensive, including over the open ocean.
“Adding AEW&C to the MQ-9B brings a critical new capability to our platform,” said General Atomics President David R. Alexander.
“We want to deliver a persistent AEW&C solution to our global operators that will protect them against sophisticated cruise missiles as well as simple but dangerous drone swarms.”
A demonstration is set to take place next year in Southern California, showcasing Saab’s AEW&C tech integrated into the SkyGuardian platform.
SkyGuardian Unpacked
The MQ-9B is General Atomics’ latest evolution in long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft, designed to take on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
It stretches 38 feet (12 meters) long with a 79-foot (23-meter) wingspan and can carry up to 4,750 pounds (2,155 kilograms) of payload.
A Honeywell turboprop powers the SkyGuardian, which can also be armed with precision-guided weapons and attack missiles.
It reaches speeds of about 300 miles (483 kilometers) per hour and altitudes up to 43,000 feet (13,106 meters), with a maximum range of 6,000 nautical miles (6,905 miles/11,112 kilometers).
The platform’s sensor suite pairs the Lynx multi-mode radar with advanced electro-optical and infrared systems. It also features automatic takeoff and landing, enabling smoother mission execution.
