General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
About
About General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems develops remotely piloted aircraft, radars and electro-optical mission systems for defence and government customers. Predator, Reaper, Gray Eagle and related aircraft support long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, communications and precision-strike missions.
The company integrates airframes with sensors, satellite communications, ground-control stations and mission software, and also develops detect-and-avoid and autonomous operating capabilities. Programmes range from expeditionary tactical aircraft to persistent theatre-level systems. GA-ASI manufactures complete platforms and provides training, sustainment, upgrades and field support for fleets operated by the United States and allied customers.
Products
Operations
Facilities & manufacturing
- Production setup
2026-09-21 - GA-ASI reported that FQ-42 Vengeance production is underway using company investment while government funding plans mature. - FQ-42 Vengeance - United States
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Production capacity
- Production capacity
2026-09-21 - GA-ASI says its current FQ-42 manufacturing infrastructure can support delivery of six aircraft per month. - FQ-42 Vengeance manufacturing infrastructure - United States
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Orders & commitments
- Order / commitment
2025-10-13 - The U.S. Army awarded GA-ASI a contract to add CMOSS-compliant open-architecture electronic-warfare capability to the MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAS. - MQ-1C Gray Eagle / MOSA-EW
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Deployments
- Operating use
2026-09-18 - GA-ASI delivered an FQ-42 Vengeance aircraft to Creech Air Force Base for continuing U.S. Air Force test and evaluation. - FQ-42 Vengeance / USAF CCA programme - Creech Air Force Base
Source - Operating use
2025-06-09 - The UK Ministry of Defence signed a support and sustainment contract with GA-ASI for Protector RG Mk1 operations with the Royal Air Force. - operations support
Source
Observed use
- Gray Eagle Extended Range with SNC Electronic Support Measures system
Physical Demo - Embedded - GA-ASI flight-tested Gray Eagle Extended Range with SNC’s Electronic Support Measures system installed.
Source - MQ-9B SeaGuardian with DRU Pod
Evaluation - Mounted - A Japan Coast Guard MQ-9B SeaGuardian carried SoftBank’s DRU Pod during airborne mobile-network verification off Kochi, Japan.
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Supply
Supply chain relationships
- Honeywell Aerospace
Inbound - Power Systems - Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop engines power the MQ-9A Reaper
Source - Raytheon
Inbound - Perception - Raytheon MTS-B multispectral targeting systems are used on MQ-9 Reaper for EO/IR targeting, tracking, range finding, and laser designation
Source - Sierra Nevada Corporation
Inbound - Sensor Payload - SNC’s ESM system is installed on the flight-tested GA-ASI Gray Eagle ER configuration
Source - Honeywell Aerospace
Inbound - Positioning & Navigation - Honeywell ring-laser gyro inertial navigation hardware is used in the MQ-9A Reaper navigation stack
Source - SoftBank Corp.
Inbound - Communications - SoftBank manufactured the DRU communications pod mounted on a GA-ASI MQ-9B SeaGuardian for a 2026 flight trial
Source - Honeywell International
Inbound - actuation and motion control - Honeywell International supplies TPE331-10 turboprop engine for General Atomics Aeronautical Systems's MQ-9B family
Source - Divergent Technologies
Inbound - Manufacturing - Divergent Technologies supplied DAPS design, fabrication and assembly for completed General Atomics UAS structures
Source - Hexcel
Inbound - Manufacturing - GA-ASI selected Hexcel HexAM additive manufacturing for several complex UAV and remotely piloted aircraft components
Source - RTX Corporation
Inbound - Autonomy Software - RTX Collins Sidekick mission-autonomy software flew on GA-ASI's YFQ-42A in a four-hour flight test
Source - Radeus Labs
Inbound - Compute & Control - Radeus Labs supplies mission-computing and flight-recorder systems for GA-ASI unmanned-aircraft ground-control stations
Source - Saab
Inbound - Sensor Payload - Saab supplies loyaleye airborne early warning radar pods for mq9b for General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9B LoyalEye payload integration
Source - United States Army
Outbound - Manufacturing - General Atomics Aeronautical Systems supplies MOSA electronic-warfare capability integration for Gray Eagle UAS
Source - United States Air Force
Outbound - Uncrewed Combat Aircraft - GA-ASI received a U.S. Air Force production contract for FQ-42A uncrewed combat aircraft
Source - United States Navy
Outbound - Support Services - General Atomics Aeronautical Systems supplies MQ-9A Reaper programme support services for U.S. Marine Corps MQ-9A programme
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Team
- David Alexander - President
Timeline
Events
- 2026-10-01 - Contract Award - GA-ASI receives $38.77M Taiwan MQ-9B logistics-support contract
The full $38,766,471 in Foreign Military Sales funds was obligated at award. Work is based in Poway, California, with completion expected by August 31, 2029. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center manages contract FA8689-26-C-B006.
Source - 2026-10-15 - Demonstration - GA-ASI flight-tests SNC electronic-support system on Gray Eagle ER
The small-form-factor ESM is designed to detect hostile integrated air-defence systems beyond their weapon-engagement zones. Gray Eagle’s open architecture accommodates the modular sensing upgrade. The capability supports crewed–uncrewed teaming and follows earlier exercise demonstrations of other Gray Eagle upgrades.
Source - 2026-10-02 - Demonstration - SoftBank verifies airborne mobile coverage using MQ-9B SeaGuardian
The aircraft flew at 3,000 metres and provided ground coverage exceeding 5 kilometres in diameter. Outdoor measurements reached 20 Mbps downlink and 5 Mbps uplink using 5 MHz bandwidth. SoftBank built the pod to GA-ASI design and quality requirements; gimballed antennas compensated for aircraft motion.
Source - 2026-09-24 - Contract Award - Radeus Labs secures GA-ASI ground-control-station contracts through 2029
The work covers both new-build ground control stations and systems already fielded with unmanned-aircraft programmes. Radeus has supplied digital flight recorders and mission-computing systems to GA-ASI ground stations during a 25-year relationship. The company configures and ruggedizes commercial components to meet defence programme requirements.
Source - 2026-09-18 - Production Milestone - General Atomics delivers FQ-42 Vengeance to Creech AFB
The aircraft will continue regular experimentation and test operations with U.S. Air Force evaluation units at Creech. GA-ASI completed a dedicated low-observable paint facility and says its current manufacturing infrastructure can support six aircraft per month. Company-funded production is underway following the FQ-42 program’s initial U.S. Air Force production contract in June 2026.
Source - 2026-09-09 - Demonstration - General Atomics gives first public look at Wildfire aircraft concept
The design shown carries large stand-off payloads and is intended to support massed operations. Wildfire work had been acknowledged previously; this milestone is the first public view of the proposed aircraft configuration. The programme remains a proposed design rather than an available production aircraft.
Source - 2026-08-27 - Partnership - GA-ASI and Fujitsu sign MQ-9B support MOU for Japan
The proposed framework covers avionics maintenance, parts management, maintenance training and field-support services in Japan. The companies will also evaluate mission-system integration, design, manufacturing, testing and related technical collaboration. The agreement is an exploration and capability-building MOU rather than a completed maintenance or production contract.
Source - 2026-08-17 - Contract Award - General Atomics wins ₹19.43 billion Indian Navy MQ-9B lease contract
The agreement covers two high-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft for a 30-month term. The aircraft will support maritime domain awareness and persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance across the Indian Ocean region. Reuters reported the contract value as approximately US$203 million at the time of signing.
Source - 2026-08-11 - Contract Award - Marine Corps exercises US$47.36 million MQ-9A support options
The modification covers engineering, logistics, software sustainment, payload integration and airworthiness support. The work supports operational capability for the Marine Corps expeditionary medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned-aircraft programme.
Source - 2026-06-17 - Contract Award - GA-ASI receives U.S. Air Force FQ-42A production contract
The initial order starts delivery of production aircraft rather than extending only prototype development. GA-ASI describes FQ-42A as a purpose-built uncrewed combat aircraft developed for collaborative combat missions. GA-ASI disclosed the production award on 17 June 2026; the public release did not state a contract value or quantity.
Source - 2026-05-19 - Demonstration - Saab LoyalEye completes first flight on GA-ASI MQ-9B
Saab said the flight took place on May 19 at GA-ASI Desert Horizon facility in Southern California. The integration pairs Saab LoyalEye radar sensors with the MQ-9B unmanned aircraft. The first flight begins a several-month evaluation phase toward a full capability demonstration later in 2026.
Source - 2026-04-15 - Contract Award - U.S. Army awards GA-ASI contract for Gray Eagle electronic intelligence upgrade
The U.S. Army awarded GA-ASI a contract to add enhanced electronic intelligence capabilities to MQ-1C Gray Eagle Extended Range. The ELINT upgrade supports long-range sensing against integrated air defence systems. The award extends the Gray Eagle UAS roadmap around survivable sensing and electronic-warfare missions.
Source - 2026-02-23 - Capability - GA-ASI names YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft Dark Merlin
GA-ASI named its U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft YFQ-42A Dark Merlin. The company said the aircraft had delivered the Air Force's first successful CCA flight in August 2025. GA-ASI also said YFQ-42A completed its first CCA flight using mission autonomy software in February 2026.
Source - 2026-02-20 - Demonstration - Collins Sidekick flies GA-ASI YFQ-42A autonomously for four hours
Autonomy mode controlled a four-hour flight while a human operator supervised from the ground. The test integrated Sidekick with the YFQ-42A mission systems and paired the uncrewed aircraft with crewed fighters. The flight supported the U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft Increment 1 programme.
Source - 2026-02-13 - Demonstration - Autonodyne demonstrates F-22 to MQ-20 human-machine teaming
The February 13, 2026 flight used Bashi as a pilot vehicle interface for F-22 tasking of an MQ-20 unmanned aircraft. The F-22 pilot used the tablet to direct tactical maneuvers, waypoint changes and combat air patrol tasks. Autonodyne said the work was part of ongoing U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft flight demonstrations.
Source - 2026-02-12 - Capability - GA-ASI YFQ-42A completes semi-autonomous mission autonomy flight
GA-ASI integrated third-party mission autonomy into the YFQ-42A CCA for a semi-autonomous airborne mission. The flight advanced the company's Collaborative Combat Aircraft autonomy roadmap.
Source - 2026-01-20 - Partnership - GA-ASI and Calidus sign MoU to collaborate on MQ-9B and Gambit CCA co-production in UAE
GA-ASI and Calidus Aerospace signed an MoU to collaborate on prospective co-production of MQ-9B and Gambit CCA in the UAE. The MoU also covers command-and-control and battle-management systems. The agreement gives GA-ASI a co-production partnership signal for unmanned aircraft and collaborative combat aircraft in the UAE.
Source - 2026-01-19 - Partnership - GA-ASI and Barzan Holdings sign MoU for battle management software capabilities
GA-ASI and Barzan Holdings signed an MoU to collaborate on advanced battle management software capabilities. The signing took place during DIMDEX in Doha. The agreement adds a software co-development partnership to GA-ASI command-and-control work.
Source - 2026-01-12 - Contract Award - Germany orders eight MQ-9B SeaGuardian aircraft through NSPA
The German procurement covers eight MQ-9B SeaGuardian aircraft and four certified ground control stations. The acquisition is being executed through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency. General Atomics expects deliveries to begin in 2028.
Source - 2025-11-04 - Product Launch - GA-ASI unveils Gambit 6 collaborative combat aircraft variant
GA-ASI introduced Gambit 6 as a Collaborative Combat Aircraft variant adding air-to-ground operations to its air-to-air capability. The product is aimed at international CCA requirements. The launch extends the Gambit family with an uncrewed combat-aircraft variant for multi-role missions.
Source - 2025-10-13 - Contract Award - U.S. Army awards GA-ASI contract to add MOSA-EW capability to Gray Eagle UAS
The U.S. Army awarded GA-ASI a contract to add a CMOSS-compliant open architecture electronic warfare capability to Gray Eagle. The work supports C5ISR and electronic warfare integration on the MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAS. The award adds an electronic-warfare upgrade milestone to the Gray Eagle programme.
Source - 2025-08-27 - Demonstration - GA-ASI begins YFQ-42A CCA flight testing with U.S. Air Force
GA-ASI said the YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft had begun flight testing with the U.S. Air Force. The aircraft is a jet-powered uncrewed platform designed for rapid production in large quantities. This is one of the strongest CCA product milestones for GA-ASI.
Source - 2025-06-17 - Demonstration - Shield AI advances Hivemind with second MQ-20 Avenger flight
Hivemind coordinated one live MQ-20 with its digital twin in a blended physical and virtual mission scenario. The aircraft executed formation flying and combat-air-patrol manoeuvres using A-GRA-compliant mission-planning layers. The test advanced beyond February's command-line-interface work by adding tactical skills and real-time links to command-and-control and edge systems.
Source - 2025-06-09 - Contract Award - UK MOD signs Protector RG Mk1 support contract with GA-ASI
The UK Ministry of Defence signed a support and sustainment contract with GA-ASI for Protector RG Mk1. The UK PASS contract covers logistics and maintenance for Protector systems operated by the Royal Air Force. The event adds a service-support contract milestone for GA-ASI Protector operations.
Source - 2025-03-04 - Demonstration - Shield AI Hivemind flies General Atomics MQ-20 at Orange Flag
The February Orange Flag exercise used A-GRA-compliant interfaces to connect Hivemind with the MQ-20's open architecture. The flight began a planned series of 2025 tests intended to expand the integration toward full A-GRA compliance. General Atomics uses the jet-powered MQ-20 as a test bed for future Autonomous Collaborative Platforms.
Source - 2025-03-03 - Capability - U.S. Air Force designates General Atomics CCA as YFQ-42A
The U.S. Air Force designated General Atomics Collaborative Combat Aircraft as YFQ-42A. The designation identifies a production-representative uncrewed fighter aircraft.
Source - 2024-04-24 - Contract Award - U.S. Air Force selects General Atomics and Anduril for Collaborative Combat Aircraft next phase
The U.S. Air Force selected General Atomics and Anduril for the next phase of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme. The phase covers detailed designs, manufacturing and testing of production-representative test vehicles. The selection gives GA-ASI a programme-award milestone for Collaborative Combat Aircraft development.
Source - 2024-04-23 - Demonstration - GA-ASI Mojave completes live-fire demonstration in Yuma Desert
GA-ASI confirmed Mojave destroyed static targets in live-fire tests on April 13, 2024. The test validated armed capability for the Mojave UAS demonstrator.
Source - 2023-11-17 - Demonstration - GA-ASI demonstrates Mojave STOL UAS operations from HMS Prince of Wales
GA-ASI demonstrated Mojave short takeoff and landing capability from the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales. The demonstration took place on November 15, 2023 while the carrier was underway off the U.S. East Coast.
Source - 2023-08-01 - Demonstration - Mojave completes first operations from an unprepared dirt strip
Mojave completed multiple takeoffs and landings from a dirt strip on 1 August 2023. The demonstration included a 586-foot takeoff and a 335-foot landing. General Atomics described the trial as proof of expeditionary operation away from traditional runways.
Source - 2023-02-15 - Partnership - GA-ASI and Divergent expand DAPS manufacturing integration
The companies had completed two projects that produced a fully integrated small-UAS metal aerostructure with more than 95% fewer parts. DAPS combined AI-driven design, additive fabrication, digital-twin inspection and automated tool-less assembly. The completed small-UAS structure moved from print-ready design to a deliverable airframe in under two days.
Source
Relations
Relationships
- US Air Force / Taiwan Foreign Military Sales
Commercial Order - GA-ASI received a US$38.77 million contract for Taiwan MQ-9B sustainment and logistics support through August 2029.
- Indian Ministry of Defence / Indian Navy
Mq 9b Lease Customer - India contracted General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to lease two MQ-9B SeaGuardian aircraft to the Indian Navy for 30 months.
- United States Navy
Unmanned Aircraft Support Customer - The U.S. Navy exercised support options for the Marine Corps MQ-9A Reaper programme.
- UK Ministry of Defence / Royal Air Force
Protector Sustainment Customer - GA-ASI signed a support and sustainment contract with the UK MOD for Protector RG Mk1 Royal Air Force operations.
- Fujitsu
Mq 9b Support Partner - GA-ASI and Fujitsu are evaluating Japanese MQ-9B maintenance, operational support and future technical collaboration.
- MBDA
Uncrewed Aircraft Weapons Collaboration - GA-ASI and MBDA signed an MoU to integrate SPEAR weapons with MQ-9B and Gambit 6 uncrewed aircraft.
- KONGSBERG
Mq 9b Missile Integration Collaboration - GA-ASI and KONGSBERG jointly fund design work to integrate the Joint Strike Missile with MQ-9B.
- EDGE Group
Mq 9b Weapons Integration Partnership - GA-ASI and EDGE agreed to work together on integrating EDGE smart weapons with the MQ-9B SkyGuardian.
- Leidos
Australian UAS Industry Collaboration - GA-ASI and Leidos agreed to collaborate on Australian remotely piloted aircraft and defence projects.
- Divergent Technologies
UAS Manufacturing Technology Partnership - GA-ASI and Divergent partnered to apply Divergent digital additive manufacturing to GA-ASI uncrewed aircraft.
Context
Comparable profiles
- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
stack adjacency - Defence UAV Oem
- Tenet Industries
stack adjacency - Defence UAV Oem
- Thunder Tiger
stack adjacency - Defence UAV Oem
- Strategic Logix
stack adjacency - Defence UAV Oem
- Overwatch Aerospace
stack adjacency - Defence UAV Oem
Shared workflows
- Kronshtadt
workflow adjacency - Male UAV Isr
Context tags
- Defence customers - Customer Environment
- MALE defence UAV builder - Peer Group
- MALE UAV ISR - Workflow
- Defence UAV OEM - Stack Layer
Commercial
- GA-ASI receives $38.77M Taiwan MQ-9B logistics-support contract
2026-10-01 · Order / contract · The US Air Force awarded General Atomics Aeronautical Systems a $38,766,471 sole-source contract for Taiwan MQ-9B sustainment and contractor logistics support on October 1; the award was announced October 15.
Source - Radeus Labs secures GA-ASI ground-control-station contracts through 2029
2026-09-24 · Order / contract · Radeus Labs secured new multi-year contracts for engineering and sustainment work on General Atomics Aeronautical ground-control-station programmes through 2029.
Source - General Atomics wins ₹19.43 billion Indian Navy MQ-9B lease contract
2026-08-17 · Order / contract · India signed a ₹19.43 billion contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to lease two MQ-9B SeaGuardian aircraft for the Indian Navy.
Source - Marine Corps exercises US$47.36 million MQ-9A support options
2026-08-11 · Order / contract · General Atomics Aeronautical Systems received a US Navy contract modification exercising support options for the Marine Corps expeditionary MQ-9A Reaper programme.
Source - GA-ASI receives U.S. Air Force FQ-42A production contract
2026-06-17 · Order / contract · The U.S. Air Force awarded General Atomics Aeronautical Systems a production contract for FQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
Source - U.S. Army awards GA-ASI contract for Gray Eagle electronic intelligence upgrade
2026-04-15 · Order / contract
Source - Germany orders eight MQ-9B SeaGuardian aircraft through NSPA
2026-01-12 · Order / contract · Germany agreed to acquire eight MQ-9B SeaGuardian remotely piloted aircraft and four certified ground control stations through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency.
Source - U.S. Army awards GA-ASI contract to add MOSA-EW capability to Gray Eagle UAS
2025-10-13 · Order / contract
Source - UK MOD signs Protector RG Mk1 support contract with GA-ASI
2025-06-09 · Order / contract
Source - U.S. Air Force selects General Atomics and Anduril for Collaborative Combat Aircraft next phase
2024-04-24 · Order / contract
Source