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GA-ASI’s Second Blue Magic Netherlands Doubles Impact

Thursday, December 11th, 2025

SAN DIEGO – 10 December 2025 – On November 18, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and its Blue Magic Netherlands (BMNL) partners held their second “shark tank” style event in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The event brought together emerging Dutch companies and attracted more than 350 attendees. BMNL provided Dutch businesses with an opportunity to present their capabilities for possible investment from GA-ASI, as well as other companies. The 16 companies that made pitches were selected from a pool of more than 70 companies that represented the best of the best of Dutch industry.

“Blue Magic uncovers new technologies within the Dutch ecosystem,” said Brad Lunn, GA-ASI Managing Director. “The quality of the innovation we’re seeing is improving rapidly. The growth of the event is a testament to the quality it brings forward.”

During the second BMNL event, held at Brainport Eindhoven — a center of the Dutch high-technology industry — GA-ASI and its partners heard firsthand from Dutch companies about the important capabilities they are developing. GA-ASI issued an open invitation to Dutch businesses in July for Netherlands-based businesses to apply for the opportunity to present their innovative technologies at BMNL. Key areas of focus for the presentations were Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Autonomy, Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, Sensors, Space, and Counter-UAS.

GA-ASI was joined for the second BMNL event by the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Netherlands Ministry of Defence,Lockheed Martin, Brainport Development, Brabant Development Agency (BOM), and the Netherlands Industries for Defence & Security (NIDV).

GA-ASI expects to announce technology partnerships stemming from the second BMNL event and intends to continue holding this event on an annual basis in the Netherlands.

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AV Awarded $13.2M Contract to Provide P550 UAS for US Army’s Long Range Reconnaissance (LRR) Program

Tuesday, December 9th, 2025

ARLINGTON, Va., December 8, 2025 – AV, with partner Parry Labs, has been awarded a 3-year Other Transaction Agreement with an initial base contract value of $13.2M with additional options for a total potential contract value of $42M to provide the newly developed P550™ uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for the U.S. Army’s Long Range Reconnaissance (LRR) program. The all-battery electric, high-performance P550 delivers long-range intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities alongside lethal effects crucial to the LRR mission. AV will deliver P550 system updates along with support and documentation deliverables to the U.S. Army, PEO Aviation, PM UAS, PdM SUAS for testing, evaluation, and integration into the Army Family of Systems. This award is in addition to the previously announced delivery of P550 systems to PM UAS.

“AV’s LRR offering was engineered to meet the Army’s unique needs, resulting in an architecture tailored to match battalion-level battlefield requirements,” said Jason Hendrix, AV’s vice president of Small Uncrewed Aerial Systems. “AV has a strong track record of providing both ISR and lethal effect solutions to the U.S. Armed Forces. We are confident that P550 will effectively bridge the current capability gap, providing the Army with critical functionalities in a single, adaptable platform.”

Equipped with advanced AI and autonomous capabilities, P550 serves as a readily deployable asset for enhanced situational awareness, force protection, and targeting capabilities in contested environments. Its toolless quick-connect airframe and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) system reduce soldier exposure to adversarial fire.

“From its inception, P550 was designed with a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA),” continued Hendrix. “The ability to swiftly install and exchange payloads, update mission software, and interoperate with other Army elements depending on mission requirements is crucial to operational success and soldier safety. AV’s partnership with Parry Labs integrates their proven mission system components into P550, offering best-in-class solutions that anticipate soldier needs. P550 embodies a true MOSA system, providing maximum flexibility with minimal logistical demands.”

P550 represents a significant advancement in AV’s commitment to equipping soldiers with adaptable, mission-ready tools that enhance battlefield effectiveness while minimizing logistical burdens. As a versatile, cutting-edge platform, P550 is poised to support the Army’s LRR needs and elevate the operational readiness of U.S. forces.

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Axon Vision Announce Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Leonardo DRS to Deliver AI-Enhanced Counter-UAS Solutions for US Market

Monday, December 8th, 2025

TEL AVIV, Israel, Dec. 3, 2025 — Axon Vision (TASE: AXN) announced today a strategic cooperation agreement with Leonardo DRS to pursue opportunities in advanced situational awareness, lethality, and survivability, with special emphasis on Counter-UAS (C-UAS) solutions in the U.S. defense market. The partnership is expected to address a critical demand for on-platform AI-driven capabilities that support force protection and platform modernization. It positions both companies for expanded participation in large-scale programs seeking proven, scalable solutions.

Under the new Memorandum of Agreement, the cooperation between the companies leverages Leonardo DRS’ deep operational experience, advanced sensors and system integration capabilities along with Axon Vision’s AI-based perception and autonomy technologies. Together, the companies aim to deliver turnkey, next-generation combat systems that deliver low latency, high bandwidth sensor data management, enhance crew awareness, and enable automated threat engagement, focusing on C-UAS. This synergy underscores a shared commitment to enhancing mission effectiveness, protecting lives and delivering technological superiority on the modern battlefield.

The collaboration builds on an ongoing relationship between the two companies and a shared commitment to enhancing mission effectiveness, protecting lives and delivering technological superiority on the modern battlefield. Together the companies have jointly developed and demonstrated operational solutions embedding Axon Vision’s AI-based perception and automation capabilities into Leonardo DRS’ range of integrated multi-spectral, multi-function C-UAS mission packages, which include radar, electro-optical and infrared advanced sensors, rugged AI-ready processors, and both kinetic and non-kinetic effectors.

The most recent demonstration came at the Association of the United States Army’s exposition showcasing unmanned ground vehicle platforms hosting modular, reconfigurable Leonardo DRS mission payloads integrated with Axon Vision’s AI solutions for aerial threat detection & defeat and AI-enhanced smart remote-controlled weapon station capabilities. The combined offering is designed to significantly enhance a platforms’ lethality, autonomous operation, and situational awareness.

“We are excited to solidify our relationship with Axon by integrating advanced mission equipment packages with their AI-driven Counter-UAS and smart RCWS capabilities. It represents a decisive leap forward in manned and unmanned ground combat effectiveness,” said Aaron Hankins, senior vice president and general manager of the Leonardo DRS Land Systems business unit. “By combining real-time aerial threat detection, autonomous or man-on-the-loop engagement, and enhanced situational awareness, this solution delivers unmatched lethality and operational superiority.”

“We are proud to partner with Leonardo DRS, a trusted and highly capable leader in the U.S. defense industry,” said Ido Rozenberg, president, CTO & co-founder of Axon Vision. “This collaboration marks a significant step in bringing Axon Vision’s advanced AI solutions to the U.S. defense market. Together, we are delivering a true powerhouse solution for combat vehicles, combining world-class sensing and integration with cutting-edge AI to enhance lethality, survivability, and overall battlefield dominance.”

Founded in 2017 by entrepreneurs Ido Rozenberg, Raz Roditi, and Michael Zolotov, Axon Vision is a leading provider of AI-based operational systems for the defense market. Its solutions are trusted by the IDF and other military forces worldwide.

For further information, visit www.axon-vision.com.

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GA-ASI Completes Full-Scale Fatigue Test on MQ-9B

Tuesday, November 18th, 2025

MQ-9B’s Third Lifetime Test Completes the FSF Testing Process With a Total of 120,000 Hours

DUBAI AIRSHOW – 17 November 2025 – On October 31, 2025, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) completed its “third lifetime” of full-scale fatigue (FSF) testing for the MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). Completion of FSF testing for the third and final lifetime includes a total of 120,000 operating hours (40,000+ flight hours per aircraft life) for the RPA and is a key milestone in validating the design of the airframe. The testing verifies the airframe structural integrity in support of certification to the NATO STANAG 4671 standard.

The aim of the testing is to identify any potential structural deficiencies ahead of fleet usage and assist in developing inspection and maintenance schedules for the airframe. Test results will be used as documentation for certification and will form the basis for in-service inspections of structural components.

“The completion of our full-scale fatigue test validates years of GA-ASI design and analysis efforts,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “The first two lifetimes simulated the operation of the aircraft under normal conditions, and the third intentionally inflicted damage to the airframe’s critical components to demonstrate its ability to tolerate operational damage that could occur over the lifetime of the aircraft.”

Testing was conducted from December 13, 2022, through October 31, 2025, at Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research in Wichita, Kansas. The airframe tested was a production airframe purpose-built to support the test campaign.

MQ-9B is GA-ASI’s most advanced RPA and includes the SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian® models as well as the new Protector RG Mk1 that is currently being delivered to the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force (RAF). In addition to the RAF, GA-ASI has MQ-9B procurement contracts with Belgium, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, Poland, India, Denmark, and the U.S. Air Force in support of the Special Operations Command. MQ-9B has also been featured in various U.S. Navy exercises, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, RIMPAC, and Group Sail.

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GA-ASI Selected to Support US Navy CCA Design Effort

Monday, October 20th, 2025

SAN DIEGO – 17 October 2025 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has been contracted by the U.S. Navy to develop conceptual designs for a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) to support the carrier air wing of tomorrow.
GA-ASI was selected to work on Navy CCA designs emphasizing a modular approach to platform selection, capable of being rapidly reconfigured and upgraded to meet changing mission requirements, including operations on and from aircraft carriers. GA-ASI’s approach supports the Navy’s revolutionary acquisition strategy of smaller, frequent purchases that enable rapid technology insertion rather than traditional long-lifecycle programs.

GA-ASI’s Navy CCA contract follows its selection to design and fly the U.S. Air Force’s first CCA, the YFQ-42A. A production-representative unmanned fighter, YFQ-42A was the first Air Force CCA to begin flight testing in August, another historic achievement for the company.

“We’re honored by the vote of confidence from the U.S. Navy and we’re eager to put what we’ve built to work for the future fleet,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “No one has more experience than we do with unmanned combat aircraft and we’re leveraging that to help the Navy get this capability onto the flight deck fast.”

CCAs are highly capable, semi-autonomous jet fighters that complement and enhance traditional, human-piloted combat aircraft. Produced in high quantities at comparatively low cost, they let commanders shift risk away from human flight crews, enhance the sensing and other capabilities of legacy aircraft formations, increase lethality of the air wing, and maximize operational flexibility across the board.

GA-ASI has configured all its unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAV) to be AMS-GRA compliant, including XQ-67A, YFQ-42A and MQ-20 Avenger®. GA-ASI rapidly reconfigured and upgraded its modular XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station, an autonomous-capable unmanned jet built under contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory that achieved first flight in 2024. GA-ASI has pioneered unmanned jet operations for more than 17 years, beginning with the MQ-20 Avenger in 2008, and has extensive experience working with the U.S. Navy and other nations on carrier-based unmanned aircraft operations.

The Navy’s CCA design will emphasize seamless coordination among manned fighters, uncrewed vehicles and support platforms; accommodate elevated risk profiles and reduce risk to crewed platforms; support and enhance 4th- and 5th-generation aircraft and complement 6th-generation aircraft; and maximize operational flexibility, cost efficiency and mission effectiveness.

At the UK’s Farnborough Air Show in 2024, GA-ASI announced its company-developed concept for ship-based CCA operations, codenamed Gambit 5. GA-ASI’s Gambit Series envisions multiple CCA variants rapidly reconfigured from a common Gambit Core, enabling substantial commonality for rapid and affordable production at scale.

GA-ASI has recorded numerous recent aviation milestones with its aircraft at sea. In 2023, the short takeoff and landing demonstrator known as Mojave launched from and landed aboard the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales. In 2024, Mojave took off from the South Korean amphibious assault ship Dokdo and flew to a naval base ashore.

GA-ASI has developed more than two dozen different types of unmanned aircraft and delivered more than 1,200 units to customers, building more than 100 aircraft per year at its 5 million-square-foot manufacturing facility in Poway, Calif. GA-ASI aircraft have amassed 9 million total flight hours and more than 50 GA-ASI aircraft are aloft around the world every minute of every day.

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GA-ASI Line of UAS Passes 9 Million Flight Hours

Wednesday, September 24th, 2025

SAN DIEGO – 21 September 2025 – Ongoing flight operations of the new YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft helped General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., set a new company record this week, pushing past a total of 9 million flight hours.

GA-ASI has been tracking total flight hours across its fleet of unmanned aerial systems since the company’s inception 33 years ago. Its line of UAS includes iconic aircraft such as the Predator®, Reaper®, Gray Eagle®, Avenger®, and MQ-9B SkyGuardian®/SeaGuardian®

“What an amazing moment,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “Having spent so much time supporting the U.S. military and its allies around the world with our other aircraft, it seems fitting that flight testing our new unmanned fighter jet for the U.S. Air Force was what helped bring us past this milestone as we look ahead to a program that will change air dominance again.”

YFQ-42A’s ongoing flights are only part of GA-ASI’s unmanned operations. At any point in time, as many as 50 GA-ASI aircraft are in flight supporting global security for U.S. and allied users worldwide.

GA-ASI’s aircraft have been a mainstay for the United States, allies and partners since the first flight of what was then called the RQ-1 Predator on July 3, 1994. The U.S. Air Force changed the designation to MQ-1 Predator in 2002. Other aircraft, including the MQ-1C Gray Eagle, MQ-9A Reaper, and MQ-20 Avenger, followed as GA-ASI drove forward the capabilities and employment of uncrewed aircraft.

More recently, GA-ASI has begun deliveries of its new MQ-9B SkyGuardians and SeaGuardians. MQ-9B is the world’s most advanced Remotely Piloted Aircraft System, delivering exceptionally long endurance and range — with automatic takeoff and landing under pole-to-pole satellite-only control — and will be able to operate in unsegregated airspace using the GA-ASI-developed Detect and Avoid system.

GA-ASI has made deliveries to the U.K.’s Royal Air Force (Protector) and the Belgian Air Force, and are fulfilling orders from Canada, Denmark, Poland, Japan, Taiwan, India, and the U.S. Air Force in support of the Special Operations Command. MQ-9B has also supported various U.S. Navy exercises, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, and Group Sail.

Meanwhile the company has been supporting the development of new aircraft and concepts of operation for the future of airpower. GA-ASI built and flies the XQ-67A Off Board Sensing Station – its second uncrewed combat jet – for the U.S. Air Force Research Lab. Just last month, GA-ASI announced the start of flight testing for its third, the new YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft. The new unmanned fighter jet has been designed and developed by GA-ASI and is built for rapid production, in large quantities, at an affordable price.

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Second Blue Magic Netherlands Event Set for November 18

Friday, September 19th, 2025

Registration Site Is Open and Dutch Innovators Are Encouraged to Attend and Apply to Present Capabilities

SAN DIEGO – 16 September 2025 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), in collaboration with the Dutch Ministry of Defence and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, will host its second Blue Magic Netherlands (BMNL) event on November 18, 2025. BMNL 2025 follows the successful first event in 2024 and will take place at the MELT at Avular building, a world-class venue for technology interchange near Brainport Eindhoven, the center of the Dutch high-technology manufacturing industry. The registration site can be accessed at www.ga-asi.com/blue-magic-netherlands-2025.

“The first BMNL event was a huge success for Dutch industry,” said Brad Lunn, managing director for GA-ASI. “We’ve built strong investment opportunities with Dutch companies — including Arceon, Emergent Swarm Solutions, and Saluqi Motors — and now we’re looking to build on that success at BMNL 2025.”

Blue Magic Netherlands fosters technology ideation and implementation within the Dutch industrial ecosystem. GA-ASI is inviting Netherlands-based technology and aerospace companies, big and small, to apply for a chance to pitch transformative next-gen solutions that could shape the course of commercial and defence technologies. This event brings together leaders in advanced technology, aerospace, business, and government in a single Dutch forum to explore emerging technologies that address the world’s most pressing defence and security challenges. GA-ASI supplies its MQ-9A Remotely Piloted Aircraft to the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

Along with partners Brainport Development Eindhoven, Lockheed Martin Ventures, Brabant Development Agency and the Netherlands Industries for Defence & Security (NIDV), GA-ASI will accept proposals to present a broad range of technologies. Participating in this transformational event provides an ideal opportunity to connect with funding sources and collaborate with industry leaders. Companies and individuals wishing to only join the audience and network are welcome to register as well.

Companies interested in presenting their capabilities can submit a pitch proposal. GA-ASI and other participants will hear technology pitches followed by a lively panel discussion. Networking opportunities will also be available where participants can meet with other high-tech businesses and industry leaders to see if their capabilities can be leveraged in new and useful ways. Focus areas for this year are Intelligent Systems – Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning and Autonomy, Smart Materials – Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, Sensors, Space, and Counter-UAS.

Companies interested in presenting their capabilities must submit pitch proposals in PDF format by no later than October 10, 2025. Companies selected to present pitches will be notified on November 3, 2025.

To submit a pitch proposal or register to attend in person or virtually, please visit the event website at www.ga-asi.com/blue-magic-netherlands-2025.

BMNL organizers will also host several virtual workshops covering a variety of topics relevant to defence technology start-ups. These workshops will be listed on the event website and are available for the entire Dutch innovation ecosystem.

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Red Cat Collaborates with Safe Pro Group to Embed Real-Time AI-Powered Threat Detection Onboard the Black Widow Drone Platform

Tuesday, September 16th, 2025

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Sept. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCAT) (“Red Cat” or the “Company”), a U.S.-based provider of advanced, all-domain robotic solutions for defense and national security, today announced a strategic collaboration with Safe Pro Group Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAI) (Safe Pro), a leading provider of artificial intelligence (AI)-computer vision technologies.

Through this collaboration, Safe Pro’s patented AI-powered image analysis technology will be embedded into Red Cat’s Black Widow drones, enabling U.S. and allied ground personnel to rapidly identify and locate more than 150 types of explosive threats including landmines, anti-personnel mines, cluster munitions, and unexploded ordnance (UXO) in real-time.

The integration will allow Safe Pro’s Object Threat Detection (SPOTD) system to process real-time 4k video onboard the Black Widow at the tactical edge and deliver live threat data directly to military situational awareness platforms such as the U.S. Army’s Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) software ecosystem, enhancing and accelerating decision making critical to mission success.

The Black Widow will also integrate with Safe Pro’s new SPOTD Navigation, Observation and Detection Engine (NODE), a powerful, edge-based solution designed to process, map and share mission critical information collected by drones. Supporting rapid deployment at the edge, the SPOTD NODE “kit” enables end users to collect real-time visual data, receive threat alerts, and utilize that imagery to create 2D and 3D interactive maps and plot hazard detections. This capability provides enhanced situational awareness, supporting a wide array of ground missions even in connectivity-denied environments.

Powering Safe Pro’s SPOTD technology is one of the world’s largest real-world landmine and UXO datasets consisting of high-resolution imagery and GPS-tagged geospatial data encompassing over 1.88 million drone images analyzed to date, and 34,200+ threats identified across 8,119 hectares (20,062 acres) in Ukraine.

“The Black Widow continues to distinguish itself as a leading sUAS platform for defense and security, ideally suited to supporting the evolving needs of the U.S. Army and its global allies. By incorporating field-proven innovations such as Safe Pro’s unique AI-powered threat detection technology, we continue to redefine the future of force protection and battlefield awareness,” said Jeff Thompson, Red Cat CEO.

“As demonstrated in Ukraine, the battlefield is dramatically evolving, establishing a critical need to provide today’s warfighter with access to enhanced, real-time situational awareness. By harnessing the power of the Black Widow with Safe Pro’s battle-tested threat detection technology, we have created a platform that can uniquely support the needs of the U.S. Army for real-time battlefield intelligence, and we look forward to bringing this capability to our warfighters,” added Dan Erdberg, Chairman and CEO of Safe Pro Group Inc.

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