Saab and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems have completed the first flight of what the companies describe as the world’s first unmanned airborne early warning (AEW) solution, after integrating Saab’s LoyalEye airborne early warning radar sensor pods onto a GA-ASI MQ-9B.

The first flight took place on 19 May at GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon facility in Southern California and launches a several-month evaluation campaign ahead of a planned full capability demonstration later this year.

The programme combines Saab’s airborne early warning expertise, including its GlobalEye AEW&C platform, with GA-ASI’s MQ-9B unmanned aircraft system in an effort to develop a longer-endurance airborne surveillance capability without placing crews at risk. Once operational, the companies say the system will provide persistent and cost-effective air surveillance in regions where such capability is currently unavailable.

The joint Saab and GA-ASI system is designed for early warning missions, long-range target detection and simultaneous multi-target tracking beyond line of sight using SATCOM connectivity. The LoyalEye-equipped platform also aims to extend airborne warning coverage and persistence while tracking missiles, drones, fighters and bombers.

MQ-9B variants include the SkyGuardian, SeaGuardian, the UK’s Protector and the MQ-9B STOL configuration currently under development for naval aircraft carriers.

“LoyalEye on the MQ-9B offers critical airborne sensing, supporting extended persistence and operational reach. As a complement to manned assets, it aims to enhance situational awareness and, in combination, enable greater operational reach and flexibility”, says Carl Johan Bergholm, Head of Saab’s business area Surveillance.

“AEW for MQ-9B will offer critical aloft sensing to defend against tactical air munitions, guided missiles, drones, fighter and bomber aircraft, and other threats,” adds GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “Operational availability for a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS is the highest of any military aircraft, and as an unmanned platform, its aircrews are not put into harm’s way.”