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World's first drone AWACS takes flight: What MQ-9B's new radar means for India Sweden's Saab has teamed up with General Atomics from the US to achieve a major milestone: the successful testing of the MQ-9B drone featuring cutting-edge early warning radar technology. This development could redefine aerial surveillance operations, making it more accessible for countries, particularly India, which face vast border and maritime security challenges.

Saab and General Atomics Complete First Flight of an Unmanned ... Tweet Share Pin 0 Shares Saab and General Atomics have achieved the first flight of a UAV equipped with an airborne early warning (AEW) sensor suite, marking a milestone for unmanned AWACS technology. The companies flew an MQ-9B SkyGuardian (uncrewed Predator B) carrying Saab’s LoyalEye radar on 19 May 2026 in Southern California and began a test program toward a full AEW demonstration. In the first flight, GA-ASI’s test aircraft at the Desert Horizon facility carried two underwing pods containing Saab’s LoyalEye AEW radar. This flight launches a several-month evaluation phase, leading to a full-capability demonstration planned for summer 2026. Saab and General Atomics completed the first flight of an unmanned airborne early warning system ( Saab ) The MQ-9B SkyGuardian is now being outfitted as an unmanned AEW platform by pairing its long-range endurance with Saab’s LoyalEye radar pods. LoyalEye provides 360° air surveillance (Saab designed it for UAV use), and GA’s MQ-9B brings satellite datalinks and autonomous avionics. The system is operated remotely from a ground station. Data links include line-of-sight and b…

General Atomics, Saab to partner on MQ-9B AWACS capability General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc has announced a partnership with Swedish defence firm Saab to develop an airborne early warning and control capability for its MQ-9B series of remotely piloted aircraft. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc has announced a partnership with Swedish defence firm Saab to develop an airborne early warning and control capability for its MQ-9B series of remotely piloted aircraft. The collaboration promises a cost-effective and persistent solution to emerging air threats and marks a major step forward for uncrewed airborne surveillance, with flight testing scheduled for 2026. The airborne early warning (AEW) system will be integrated into the MQ-9B family encompassing the SkyGuardian, SeaGuardian, the UK’s Protector remotely piloted aircraft, and the upcoming MQ-9B short take-off and landing variant offering enhanced airspace awareness from the sea to the battlefield. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) president David R Alexander said, “High and low-tech air threats both pose major challenges to global air forces. We’re developing an affordable AEW solution in cooper…

World’s First Drone-Based Airborne Early Warning System Completes ... An MQ-9B taking off with the LoyalEye radar sensor. Image: Saab Up next Published on 22 May 2026 Author Ethan M. Encarnacion Share article The post has been shared by 0 people. Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Pinterest 0 Mail 0 Two defense giants have joined forces for a milestone flight of what they describe as the world’s first unmanned airborne early warning (AEW) solution. The feat was made possible by integrating Saab’s LoyalEye radar sensor onto an MQ-9B drone from General Atomic Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), combining AEW capabilities with the endurance of an uncrewed platform. The integration aims to expand airborne surveillance coverage and support faster decision-making across the battlespace. Conducted at GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon facility in Southern California, the flight test marks the start of a multi-month evaluation campaign that will culminate in a full demonstration later this year. Artistic render of the MQ-9B unmanned aircraft. Image: GA-ASI “LoyalEye on the MQ-9B offers critical airborne sensing, supporting extended persistence and operational reach,” said Carl Johan Bergholm , head of Saab’s Sur…

World's first unmanned AWACS drone MQ-9B flies with Saab LoyalEye radar ... General Atomics has flown the world’s first unmanned airborne early warning drone by integrating Saab’s LoyalEye radar onto the MQ-9B, a development confirmed after the May 19, 2026, test flight in Southern California that could fundamentally expand NATO and Indo-Pacific surveillance capacity against cruise missiles, drones, and low-altitude maritime threats. The program matters because it shifts part of the AWACS mission away from scarce and vulnerable crewed aircraft such as the E-3 Sentry and E-7 Wedgetail toward lower-cost unmanned platforms able to remain airborne for more than 40 hours while sustaining persistent radar coverage over contested regions. TheMQ-9B LoyalEyeuses modular wing-mounted AESA radar pods instead of a traditional rotodome, allowing operators to rapidly convert the drone between ISR, maritime patrol, strike-support, and airborne warning missions without major airframe redesign. Operating at roughly 40,000 feet with SATCOM-linked ground crews, the system could provide continuous radar picket coverage for carrier groups, Baltic and Arctic surveillance, Red Sea shipping protection, …

Saab flies world's first uncrewed AWACS aircraft with MQ-9B test Sign up for our newsletter and get our latest content in your inbox. Subscribe Saab and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) have successfully test flown an airborne early warning variant of the MQ-9B drone developed from the Reaper, demonstrating what could become a lower-cost complement to larger manned AWACS aircraft such as the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail. Saab test flies first MQ-9B LoyalEye The MQ-9B was equipped with Saab airborne early warning radar pods during a validation flight conducted in Southern California on 19 May. Saab and GA-ASI said a full-capability demonstration flight is planned later in 2026. GA-ASI said the new configuration could provide persistent airborne surveillance capabilities in regions where traditional airborne early warning aircraft are unavailable or too costly to deploy. Photo: DVIDS GA-ASI President David R. Alexander said the system would provide “critical aloft sensing to defend against tactical air munitions, guided missiles, drones, fighter and bomber aircraft, and other threats.” He added: “It will also help avoid putting aircrews in harm’s way.” Get the latest aerospace …