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GA-ASI Adding AESA Antenna to EagleEye Radar

Tuesday, April 30th, 2024

New Antenna Will Double Range and Enable Additional Radar Enhancements

SAN DIEGO – 24 April 2024 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is continuing its support of EagleEye multi-mode radar development with a company investment to add an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) antenna and associated software that will increase range and deliver significant mode enhancements. AESA will be a “drop-in” hardware upgrade to the existing EagleEye radar and could be an option for the new Gray Eagle 25M (GE 25M) aircraft assembly when ready.

“We expect the AESA antenna to more than double the range for EagleEye,” said Jeff Hettick, GA-ASI vice president of Agile Mission Systems. “The increased range and optimized multi-mode performance of the radar are perfectly tailored to provide deep sensing capability in Multi-Domain Operations (MDO). That will allow the aircraft to operate well outside Weapons Effects Zone of most threat systems adding a layer of survivability supporting the Stand-Off survivability with Stand-In effects of long-range sensors. This is a key component of the Gray Eagle 25M Unmanned Aircraft System being developed for the U.S. Army.”

AESA antennas replace the mechanically steered dish antennas of earlier-generation radars with a solid-state, all-electronic emitter. In addition to enhancing the radar’s performance, by replacing the motor and other components that physically move the radar dish, AESA greatly improves repairability and reliability.

As part of the EagleEye development, GA-ASI will improve target detection range using Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML). GA-ASI expects to have a working lab prototype of the new AESA component by the end of this year, with plans to conduct flight tests in 2025 and operational demonstrations on GE 25M after that.

EagleEye is a multi-mode radar that builds on years of pioneering expertise by GA-ASI. Using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Eagle Eye enables operators to look in detail through clouds, smoke, dust, haze, or other conditions that might obscure a purely visual sensor. And for the first time on the Gray Eagle platform, EagleEye delivers radar-based Full Motion Video (FMV) called “Video SAR,” which enables live visual tracking of moving targets via the radar system.

The EagleEye radar performs Moving Target Indication (MTI), detects changes, builds strip maps, and yields other precise insights to analysts, commanders, and operators. With its Maritime Wide Area Search (MWAS) mode, EagleEye also provides a dedicated maritime MTI mode for tracking and targeting vessels and further supports the MDO mission set of the U.S. Army, particularly in support of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) mission, but also in Europe, Africa and the Middle East where there is an increased need for maritime reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition, which is critical to achieve information dominance and overmatch.

Posted in Aviation, ISR, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on GA-ASI Adding AESA Antenna to EagleEye Radar

MDM: SMARTSHOOTER to Present Its SMASH Family of Fire Control Systems and Demonstrate Its Effectiveness in Air Defense

Monday, April 29th, 2024

In collaboration with DRS RADA and HDT Global, the companies will present an end-to-end remotely controlled solution for air defense which includes theMHR radar for tracking the threat and the SMASH Hopper for precisely eliminating it

Modern Day Marine, Booth 533

[April 24, 2024]: SMARTSHOOTER, a world-class designer, developer, and manufacturer of innovative fire control systems that significantly increase the accuracy andlethality of individual and crew-served weapons, will participate at the Modern-Day Marine event and showcase its SMASH 2000L, already under review by the Marine Corps, and the SMASH Hopper Light Remotely Controlled Weapon Station (LRCWS) integrated with the DRS RADA Technologies RPS-42 radar and mounted on HDT’s Hunter WOLF.

This innovative solution offers an end-to-end air defense solution for countering drones and shortening the sensor-to-shooter cycle. The RPS-42 radar’s long-range detection and tracking capabilities allow the SMASH Hopper LRCWS to engage targets at a safe standoff distance. At the same time, the SMASH Hopper’s high hit probability promises precise, swift, safe, and simple hard-kill elimination of the threat. Mounted on HDT Global’s Hunter WOLF, a highly maneuverable hybrid electric UGV, this joint solution has already completed several successful trials and demonstrations and is ideal for use by the US Marine Corps on the MADIS system.

SMARTSHOOTER will also display the SMASH 2000L, its lightest handheld-operated fire control system used extensively against both ground and aerial targets in the current HAMAS conflict. Using AI, computer vision, and advanced algorithms, SMASH 2000L maximizes force lethality, operational effectiveness, and situational awareness throughout every engagement, in both day and night. SMASH 2000L ensures precise target elimination against ground and aerial targets, making it an ideal hard-kill solution against drones and sUAS. The SMASH 2000L is already in use by the US Marine Corps, as well as by the IDF in its current operation, “Iron Swords.”

Michal Mor, SMARTSHOOTER CEO, stated: “Fielded and operationally deployed by forces worldwide, theSMASH systems continue to redefine counter-UAScapabilities and demonstrate that precise kinetic elimination of drones and small UASs is essential. Integrating our SMASH Hopper with the RPS-42 radar provides a very effective end-to-end solution to neutralize drones swiftly, ensuring the protection of personnel and critical assets. Shortening the sensor-to-shooter cycle, this advanced solution enhances the force’s situational awareness and survivability and takes air defense to a new level”.

Deployed and combat-proven by different forces worldwide, including the US Marine Corps, SMASH is a weapon Fire Control System (FCS) equipped with an onboard computer to perform complex targeting solutions. Once the user identifies the target (independently or using the detection system guidance) and locks on it, SMASH tracks its movements and synchronizes the shot release to ensure a fast and precise hit on the target. The SMASH Family of fire control systems uses Artificial Intelligence, computer vision, and advanced algorithms to ensure precise hit capabilities, enhance forces’ situational awareness and lethality, and reduce collateral damage. It enables the platoon to be smart, precise, and connected.

Posted in MDM, Optics, Press Release, UAS | 1 Comment »

GA-ASI Selected to Build Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) for the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s (AFLCMC) Advanced Aircraft Division

Friday, April 26th, 2024

SAN DIEGO – 24 April 2024 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has been selected to build production representative flight test articles of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) for the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s (AFLCMC) Advanced Aircraft Division. This option contract award by the Advanced Aircraft Division exercises the critical design, build, and flight test on the existing CCA contract with GA-ASI following an initial 6-month phase that culminated in a successful CCA preliminary design review (PDR) earlier this year.

The CCA program aims to be a force multiplier, developing a low-cost, modular, unmanned aircraft equipped with advanced sensors or weapons and operating in collaborative teams with the next generation of manned combat aircraft.

In February 2024, GA-ASI successfully conducted the maiden flight of the XQ-67A CCA protype aircraft validating the “genus/species” concept pioneered by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) as part of the Low-Cost Attritable Aircraft Platform Sharing (LCAAPS)program. This program focused on building several aircraft variants from a common core chassis. Since then, this prototype for CCA has successfully completed two additional test flights, laying the groundwork for a successful production and flight test program. GA-ASI’s CCA production representative design is based upon the XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station developed by GA-ASI for the AFRL.

“The CCA program redefines the future of aviation and will shape the USAF acquisition model to deliver affordable combat mass to the warfighter at the speed of relevancy,” said Mike Atwood, Vice President of Advanced Programs for GA-ASI.

“Throughout our 30-year history, GA-ASI has been at the forefront of rapidly advancing unmanned aircraft systems that support our warfighters,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “The USAF is moving forward with GA-ASI due to our focused commitment to unmanned air-to-air combat operations and unmatched UAS experience, ensuring the production of the CCA aircraft at scale to deliver affordable combat mass for the warfighter.”

To complement the CCA contract, GA-ASI will continue to conduct a series of autonomy and mission system tests on the MQ-20 Avenger® UAS and XQ-67A to accelerate the readiness of operational autonomy. These live flight tests will continue to demonstrate the readiness of the full mission capability to support the emerging U.S. Air Force Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP).

Posted in Air Force, Aviation, Contracts, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on GA-ASI Selected to Build Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) for the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s (AFLCMC) Advanced Aircraft Division

Mayman Aerospace Unveiling First Full-Scale Model of Razor P100 Military VTOL During SOF Week 2024

Friday, April 26th, 2024

Ventura, Ca./ 23 April 2024 – Mayman Aerospace will unveil a full-scale model of Razor, its high-speed Air Utility Vehicle, during SOF Week 2024, May 6-10 in Tampa, Florida.

Razor is the name for the military variant of the dual-use, jet-powered, high-speed vertical take-off and landing (HS-VTOL) vehicle, from US-based manufacturer Mayman Aerospace. Derived from the Speeder design, the scalable Razor aircraft will be sized for payloads up to 1,000lb. Prototypes are already under construction for flight test in Q3 this year. The 100lb-payload Razor P100 is expected to fly first, and the 500lb-payload Razor P500 soon after. Mayman Aerospace will showcase a full-scale Razor P100 model during SOF Week 2024.

With more than US$120 million in LOI commitments from customers in Europe and Australia, plus US$3.25 million in US Department of Defense funding, Mayman Aerospace has been expanding its experienced engineering team while ramping up for flight testing.

Mayman Aerospace has also announced development of SkyField™, an AI-driven, autonomous Razor operating environment engineered for seamless integration into existing third-party battlefield management systems. SkyField will enable immediate, effective Razor operations alongside existing hardware and software systems, plus a simplified route to future capability development.

“We are excited to further define and develop Razor and the SkyField operating system as we work to bring the aircraft’s extensive capabilities to the warfighter. Razor is just the first step in creating the SkyField flight mesh. Alongside our Department of Defense colleagues, we are realizing the full capability unlocked by Razor’s unique design in combat scenarios, humanitarian and disaster relief operations, and training,” says David Mayman, CEO and founder of Mayman Aerospace.

Razor fulfills disparate missions in an era where real-world battlefield requirements are rapidly evolving. The need for combat mass through multiple, highly capable, low-cost, and attritable platforms is rapidly emerging. Razor’s low cost, jet speed, and VTOL versatility make it uniquely suitable for the next-generation battlespace.

Easily transported for mass launch in the field, from ships, or the air, Razor may be configured for contested logistics, armed with Hellfire or Brimstone missiles as a range extender for precision attack, flown as a low-cost cruise missile, or equipped with advanced sensors for ISTAR, electronic warfare, and the suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD). The aircraft will also be used as a high-speed, low-cost target drone, requiring no special launch infrastructure for air-to-air and air defense training.

Mayman Aerospace will be in the BlackHays Group booth #4802 in the JW Marriott Hotel Small Business Conference Room

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GA-ASI Mojave Lights Up the Yuma Desert in Live-Fire Demonstration

Wednesday, April 24th, 2024

Minigun Integration Showcases the Firepower and Versatility of STOL UAS;
Highlights Ability to Rapidly Integrate New Multi-Mission Capabilities

SAN DIEGO – 23 April 2024 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) confirms that its Mojave Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) destroyed static targets in live-fire tests on April 13, 2024, validating the system’s battlefield relevance and recording another milestone for the demonstrator aircraft.

GA-ASI partnered with Dillon Aero to mount two of Dillon’s DAP-6 Gun Pod Systems onto the Mojave aircraft. Mojave performed seven passes across two flights during the demonstration, expending around 10,000 rounds of ammunition as the UAS shredded a variety of targets.

“Seeing our Mojave perform this live-fire demo really emphasizes the versatility of the Mojave UAS and what it can do,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “Mojave has the ability to act as a sensor, shooter, and sustainer while mitigating threat environments and vulnerabilities and safeguarding human lives.”

Mojave and its short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability has built significant interest in the military and aerospace communities. Mojave is unique: a UAS with significant payload capacitythat can perform in areas once consideredunsuitable for UAS operations. Its ability to take off and land from unimproved landing sites at short distances as well as operate from aircraft carriers – as it did in November 2023 as part of a demonstration with the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy – is capturing imaginations and changing expectations about how large unmanned systems can be used.

The live-fire demonstration took place at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, and was funded via GA-ASI’s internal research and development budget.

The Mojave technical demonstrator shares common systems and components with GA-ASI’s modernized Gray Eagle 25M, effectively providing an expeditionary Gray Eagle STOL capability. In addition to a wing kit option for Gray Eagle, GA-ASI is planning one for the larger MQ-9B aircraft, which includes SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian®models.

The actual Mojave STOL UAS with multi-mission payloads will be on display in GA-ASI’s booth (#792) at the Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit in Denver, Colorado, April 24-26, 2024.

Posted in Press Release, UAS | 1 Comment »

Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck Opens Drone Factory and Development Hub of German Manufacturer Quantum During Delegation Trip to Ukraine

Friday, April 19th, 2024

Berlin, Germany – 18 April 2024 – On the occasion of a delegation trip to Ukraine, Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Robert Habeck opened the new production facility of Quantum-Systems GmbH in Ukraine. The plant opening took place on 18 April in the presence of the Ukrainian Minister of Strategic Industry, Oleksandr Kamyshin, and the Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defence, Ivan Hawryliuk.

Continuous support of Ukraine

Quantum Systems attracted attention at an early stage of the war of aggression by Russia with its engagement for Ukraine. The company is expanding this commitment with the new local production facility. The European drone champion from Munich, Germany, has been supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces with the delivery of its reconnaissance drones and operates a local service, support, training and logistics center with 25 Ukrainian employees. They train drone pilots and implement technological advancements in the reconnaissance systems directly on site.

The Quantum Systems Vector reconnaissance drones have been in use in Ukraine since May 2022. So far, 212 systems have been made available through the German Enablement Initiative. By the end of the year, a total of 500 Quantum Systems reconnaissance drones are expected to have been delivered to Ukraine. The new production facility is expected to increase production capacity to up to 1,000 drones yearly including spare part production.

Investing up to six million euros

The new plant will be the company’s second site in Ukraine and is expected to employ around 100 people by the end of the year. Quantum Systems is investing up to 6 million euros over the next two years. For the company, this is a vote of confidence in Ukraine and its employees there, and at the same time a sign of the company’s own commitment to providing Ukraine with long-term support in the defence of its country.

Quantum Systems currently produces as a dual-use company with around 250 employees at three locations for the civil and public sector. The production facility in Ukraine is the fourth plant among a total of seven locations worldwide.

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The Netherlands To Upgrade Their MQ-9A Capabilities

Sunday, April 7th, 2024

SAN DIEGO – 26 March 2024 – The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) is working withGeneral Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to make important upgrades to their growing fleet of MQ-9A Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). The RNLAF announced in 2023 that they will double their number of MQ-9A Reapers from four to eight and now are making upgrades to their aircraft to include capabilities such as maritime radars, a communications relay, extended range fuel tanks, electronic support measures (ESM), and weapons. The upgrades will take place incrementally over the next three years.

“The RNLAF is using the MQ-9A for an increasing set of NATO missions,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Jan Ruedisueli, commander of the RNLAF’s 306 Squadron. “With these upgrades, we will support NATO’s ISR and maritime surveillance missions throughout Europe.”

GA-ASI will integrate the new payloads for the RNLAF, including a maritime radar currently operating in other areas of the world, ESM, weapons, and a communications relay that is purpose-built to connect all services of the Netherlands Ministry of Defence.

“We’re excited to continue upgrading and increasing the mission capabilities of the RNLAF’s fleet of Reapers,” said Jaime Walters, vice president of International Strategic Development at GA-ASI. “One of the key aspects of our aircraft is the modularity of our platforms allowing them to rapidly meet the full spectrum of customer requirements.”

The MQ-9A Block 5 has a 3,850-pound (1,746-kilogram) payload capacity that includes 3,000 pounds (1,361 kilograms) of external stores. It provides a long-endurance, surveillance capability with full-motion video, Synthetic Aperture Radar/Moving Target Indicator/Maritime Radar, and ESM. An extremely reliable aircraft, MQ-9A Block 5 is equipped with a fault-tolerant flight control system and a triple-redundant avionics system architecture. It is engineered to meet and exceed manned aircraft reliability standards.

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GA-ASI Adds New Capabilities to its Predator Mission Trainer

Saturday, March 23rd, 2024

SAN DIEGO – 21 March 2024 – In a move that will be welcomed by many of its international customers, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has installed enhanced operating software into its Predator Mission Trainer (PMT) simulator that resides at GA-ASI’s Flight Test & Training Center (FTTC) in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The new PMT Plus software was developed jointly by GA-ASI and CAE-USA allowing international flight crews to train on the latest version of Operational Flight Program (OFP) software and as well as the latest capabilities including Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability (ATLC).

“With this upgrade, our international customers can now train on the latest version of OFP for their fleets of MQ-9A Remotely Piloted Aircraft,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “For our MQ-9A customers, the PMT Plus will be an exciting enhancement for them, enabling cutting-edge mission training. In addition, the new software will enable us to efficiently upgrade to future OFPs to meet our customers’ operational needs.”

In addition to its OFP and ATLC capabilities, PMT Plus improves the visual graphics for conducting operationally realistic Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission training, including the addition of maritime entities. The improved user interface at the Instructor Off-board Station (IOS) allows instructors to add elements into scenarios more rapidly, either during a lesson or immediately before a lesson, which saves time and enables a more student-centric learning experience.

“Collaboration is critical to delivering efficient mission training at the point of need,” said CAE Defense & Security Group President Dan Gelston. “Our longstanding relationship with GA-ASI enables agile development and rapid integration so customers not only gain enhanced training capabilities but also benefit from efficiencies like a smaller hardware suite, which adds additional value.”

The enhanced software also reduces the PMT’s footprint, enabling a reduction in electrical and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) demand, while producing a quieter learning environment for students and instructors.

The PMT was purchased from CAE and has been a core component of GA-ASI’s customer training at the FTTC since 2020. The FTTC has been the centerpiece of GA-ASI’s customer training capability since its founding. In 2023, GA-ASI announced the opening of a new hangar at the FTTC specifically to support international crew training.

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