Saab and General Atomics have announced a strategic partnership to develop a new unmanned airborne early warning (AEW) platform based on the MQ-9B SkyGuardian drone.
The project combines Saab’s expertise in radar and sensor systems with General Atomics’ know-how in long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles. The goal is to create a persistent medium-altitude aerial surveillance solution capable of operating alone or alongside manned aircraft, covering missions in land, maritime, and air environments.
The UK Ministry of Defence is evaluating this technology as a possible replacement for the current Crowsnest system used on the Royal Navy’s Merlin helicopters. According to Minister Maria Eagle, the MQ-9B can be adapted to operate from Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, making it a viable candidate for future embarked early warning missions.
This initiative follows a global trend toward adopting more flexible and cost-effective autonomous platforms in place of traditional manned systems.
The MQ-9B SkyGuardian is the latest version of the Predator family, with flight endurance of over 40 hours, all-weather capability, and integration with civilian airspace. The model features a multifunction radar, advanced electro-optical/infrared sensors, and automatic takeoff and landing systems. The UK is already incorporating a variant of this aircraft, called the Protector RG Mk1, as part of its future intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) framework.
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Source: UK Defence Journal | Photo: X @GenAtomics_ASI | This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team
