General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) and Saab have demonstrated the MQ-9B unmanned aircraft’s ability to detect and track multiple airborne and maritime targets using Saab’s LoyalEye airborne early warning (AEW) radar. The flight trials were conducted over several months at GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon flight operations facility in Southern California, where the MQ-9B simultaneously tracked multiple targets, including instrumented fighter jets acting as simulated adversaries and commercial aircraft. LoyalEye was installed in payload pods mounted on the aircraft, and Saab said the demonstration validated the system’s ability to detect, track and classify airborne targets under representative operational conditions. The MQ-9B AEW configuration is designed to operate independently or alongside crewed airborne early warning and control aircraft. Airborne early warning systems use radar to detect and track potential threats at long distances, helping military operators monitor air activity, build situational awareness and coordinate responses. Integrating this capability into the MQ-9B is intended to combine radar surveillance with the aircraft’s long endurance, allowing it to remain airborne for extended periods and monitor large operational areas while reducing the need to expose aircrews to potentially dangerous environments. Saab Surveillance head Carl-Johan Begholm said LoyalEye adds flexibility, extends surveillance reach and supports more efficient resource utilisation in demanding environments. GA-ASI also highlighted the possibility of distributing battle management and command-and-control functions across ground facilities, naval vessels or existing crewed AEW aircraft, depending on available infrastructure. The demonstration highlights the potential of combining long-endurance unmanned aircraft with advanced radar systems to expand persistent surveillance and military early warning capabilities.
