Testing of Airborne Tracking and Targeting System
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that it participated in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) to conduct demonstrations and testing of the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Airborne Tracking and Targeting System (ATTS). The ATTS is configured on an MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft to generate precision tracks and imagery of targets of interest. The system was employed throughout the RIMPAC exercises conducted near the Hawaiian Islands. Held every two years, RIMPAC is the world’s largest multinational maritime warfare exercise. The RIMPAC 2018 Exercise included 25 nations, 46 ships, approximately 200 aircraft, five submarines, and 25,000 personnel.
USAF Completes 1st Auto-Land Using MQ-9 Block 5
The USAF has completed the first-ever automated landing of an MQ-9 Block 5 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), followed by the first auto-takeoff. The new Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability (ATLC) was developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to enhance mission capability. By automating the takeoff and landing of the RPA, ATLC helps to increase the safety and efficiency of the air crews. The auto launch and recovery during these critical phases of RPA flight also enlarges the operational envelope for cross wind operations as well as divert field landing.
Bastille Day Security Enhanced by MQ-9 Reaper
The French Air Force operated two of its MQ-9 Reaper simultaneously in support of France’s Bastille Day events, one over Paris and the second over Cognac. The “French Reapers,” Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) assisted French authorities by providing airborne surveillance over the national celebration. The French Air Force benefits from permanent corridor systems connecting all military-dedicated airspace, which enabled the RPA to access restricted areas created over Paris for the Bastille Day celebrations. MQ-9 Reaper flew safely over a populated area of seven million people, among numerous other military aircraft participating in the airborne parade. Last year, France received its second MQ-9 Reaper system, consisting of three aircraft and a ground control station (GCS). Two French MQ-9’s are based in Cognac Châteaubernard Air Base, where they perform daily training or ISR support to interministerial missions in French airspace. The 1/33 Belfort RPA squadron currently operates six Reaper RPA to provide intelligence and support capabilities to Operation Barkhane and the Special Forces.
Testing of Arresting Hook and HDD for MQ-25
General Atomics concluded performance testing of the arresting hook Hold Down Damper (HDD) for its proposed MQ-25 unmanned aerial refueling aircraft for the US Navy. GA-ASI worked in collaboration with a team from GKN Aerospace’s Fokker business unit in Helmond, Netherlands. Fokker is slated to supply the arresting hook for the GA-ASI bid. The test simulated dynamic conditions providing performance characteristics of the HDD, such as damping, spring rate and pressure control functionality.
Second MQ-9B SkyGuardian Completes 1st Flight
General Atomics has completed the first flight of its second MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft. The flight of the company-owned aircraft was conducted at Laguna Army Airfield in Yuma Proving Grounds. The second MQ-9B SkyGuardian gives the GA-ASI programme team another aircraft to perform important development testing and demonstrations. New capabilities that weren’t available when the first prototype was completed in 2016, such as lightning protection, an upgraded avionics and software suite, and a de-icing system, have been included as part of MQ-9B’s roadmap to become the first RPA to be certified to fly in civil airspace. The upcoming test schedule for YBC02 includes further flight envelope expansion testing, testing of the Certified Redundant Control Module, flight controller updates, and testing of the Certifiable Ground Control Station (C-GCS).