Protector drone

www.ga.com

GA-ASI Integrates SAGE 750 ESM onto SeaGuardian

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) has integrated the Leonardo SAGE 750 Electronic Support Measure (ESM) system onto the MQ-9B SeaGuardian® Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS). The SAGE 750 integration was performed by GA-ASI in partnership with Leonardo.
www.ga.com
 
All told, the Sparrowhawk looks to be an extremely exciting development. It also comes at a time when the U.S. Air Force, the largest operator of MQ-9s, is looking to stop buying those drones due to concerns that they are simply too vulnerable to be useful during a high-end conflict. The ability of Reapers to launch and recover smaller, attritable drones and, by extension, perform a wider array of tasks over a larger geographical area, even in contested environments, could breathe new life into that design.
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www.thedrive.com

General Atomics' Sparrowhawk Drone-Launched Drone Breaks Cover

This low-cost unmanned demonstrator could give larger drones, such as the MQ-9 Reaper, game-changing new capabilities.
www.thedrive.com www.thedrive.com
 
On September 25th General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) completed the first flight of the Protector RG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), the fourth MQ-9B SkyGuardian® air vehicle.

DSC02318_Protector RG Mk1.jpg

www.ga.com

GA-ASI Completes First Protector Unmanned Aircraft

On September 25th General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) completed the first flight of the Protector RG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), the fourth MQ-9B SkyGuardian® air vehicle (the first three MQ-9B air vehicles are company-owned assets supporting the certification...
www.ga.com
 
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www.ga-asi.com

Statement on the Cancellation of Project Air 7003

The cancellation is disappointing for a number of reasons. Project Air 7003 offered a cost-effective, multi-domain capability that is deeply relevant to Australia’s future strategic environment. Equally disappointing, our many Team SkyGuardian Australia partner companies have invested in the...
www.ga-asi.com
 
aonestudio said:
www.ga-asi.com

Statement on the Cancellation of Project Air 7003

The cancellation is disappointing for a number of reasons. Project Air 7003 offered a cost-effective, multi-domain capability that is deeply relevant to Australia’s future strategic environment. Equally disappointing, our many Team SkyGuardian Australia partner companies have invested in the...
www.ga-asi.com
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What went wrong with Project Air 7003? Was it due to cost rises?
 
FighterJock said:
aonestudio said:
www.ga-asi.com

Statement on the Cancellation of Project Air 7003

The cancellation is disappointing for a number of reasons. Project Air 7003 offered a cost-effective, multi-domain capability that is deeply relevant to Australia’s future strategic environment. Equally disappointing, our many Team SkyGuardian Australia partner companies have invested in the...
www.ga-asi.com
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What went wrong with Project Air 7003? Was it due to cost rises?
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It says in the free to read part of this article that it was believed to be budget related.

Australia axes its Reapers in surprise cancellation | Shephard

Reigniting emotions from the cancellation of its submarine programme last year, Australia has now done much the same with its planned Reaper buy from
www.shephardmedia.com

There is more detail here, it is believed that it was axed due to the large increase in Australia’s spend on cybersecurity.

www.australiandefence.com.au

Budget axe falls on RAAF RPAS project - Australian Defence Magazine

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) confirmed that Defence has advised it will not proceed with its Air 7003 Skyguardian project.
www.australiandefence.com.au www.australiandefence.com.au
 
Flyaway said:
FighterJock said:
aonestudio said:
www.ga-asi.com

Statement on the Cancellation of Project Air 7003

The cancellation is disappointing for a number of reasons. Project Air 7003 offered a cost-effective, multi-domain capability that is deeply relevant to Australia’s future strategic environment. Equally disappointing, our many Team SkyGuardian Australia partner companies have invested in the...
www.ga-asi.com
Click to expand...

What went wrong with Project Air 7003? Was it due to cost rises?
Click to expand...
It says in the free to read part of this article that it was believed to be budget related.

Australia axes its Reapers in surprise cancellation | Shephard

Reigniting emotions from the cancellation of its submarine programme last year, Australia has now done much the same with its planned Reaper buy from
www.shephardmedia.com

There is more detail here, it is believed that it was axed due to the large increase in Australia’s spend on cybersecurity.

www.australiandefence.com.au

Budget axe falls on RAAF RPAS project - Australian Defence Magazine

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) confirmed that Defence has advised it will not proceed with its Air 7003 Skyguardian project.
www.australiandefence.com.au www.australiandefence.com.au
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Surprised it was axed due to the big spend on cybersecurity, I hope that it will get another chance in the near future once the Australian’s see the RAF Protectors in operation and that also once they have sorted all their computers out.
 
Let's be honest, cyber-security... Really. Axing something proven, sensitive and reliable for the vast emptiness of the cyber experts and other vaporware professionals?!

Now, where is that Southern Cal. consul? Any French would have already packed away.
 
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Is it me or is this still a victory for whoever it is that Australia is defending with their cybersecurity, as it means they are having to pull budget from other vital defence projects. Especially as in both cases it maybe the same opponent.
 
Flyaway said:
Is it me or is this still a victory for whoever it is that Australia is defending with their cybersecurity, as it means they are having to pull budget from other vital defence projects. Especially as in both cases it maybe the same opponent.
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Don’t get me started on computer hackers. :mad:
 
FighterJock said:
Flyaway said:
Is it me or is this still a victory for whoever it is that Australia is defending with their cybersecurity, as it means they are having to pull budget from other vital defence projects. Especially as in both cases it maybe the same opponent.
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Don’t get me started on computer hackers. :mad:
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State employed here I imagine.
 
Sorry, there's already a thread on Australia's AIR 7003 project. Will try to delete this one.

EDIT: If I can figure out how...
 
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jeffb said:
Sorry, there's already a thread on Australia's AIR 7003 project. Will try to delete this one.

EDIT: If I can figure out how...
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no problem. i moved it here for you
 
www.ga-asi.com

GA-ASI Tests PT6 E-Series Engine from Pratt and Whitney on MQ-9B RPA

On July 29, 2022, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) tested a PT6 E-Series model turboprop engine from Pratt & Whitney Canada on GA-ASI’s MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).
www.ga-asi.com
SAN DIEGO – 16 August 2022 – On July 29, 2022, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) tested a PT6 E-Series model turboprop engine from Pratt & Whitney Canada on GA-ASI’s MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). Multiple full-power engine tests were performed at GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon flight operations facility in El Mirage, Calif.

“We’ve enjoyed a long-term relationship with Pratt & Whitney,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “Integrating their PT6 E-Series engine onto our MQ-9B SkyGuardian® aircraft offers an alternate option for future customers that includes a 33 percent increase in power, dual channel electronic propeller and engine control system, as well as all the benefits of the PT6 engine family.”
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Grey Havoc said:
A GA / GA-ASI sponsored article that nevertheless may be of interest:
breakingdefense.com

UK Protector leads MQ-9B development in Europe - Breaking Defense

The Royal Air Force is set to become the world’s first operational user of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian, the world’s most advanced medium-altitude, long-endurance RPAS.
breakingdefense.com breakingdefense.com
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That is excellent news Grey Havoc. I think that the UK should buy more Protectors than we bought Reapers, that is IF we get the funding for them.
 
www.ga-asi.com

Protector Completes Acceptance Test Procedures

Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP) for the first Protector RG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) system has been completed.
www.ga-asi.com

SAN DIEGO – 06 October 2022 – Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP) for the first Protector RG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) system has been completed. Completion of ATP allowed for the official hand-over of the aircraft to the UK Royal Air Force (RAF), the launch customer of the MQ-9B RPA system developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). Protector is a specially configured model of MQ-9B, designed to meet the unique requirements of the RAF.

The aircraft was accepted by Air Vice Marshal Simon Ellard, Director Combat Air at Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the UK Ministry of Defence. “It was a great pleasure to accept the official handover of the first Protector aircraft on behalf of the MOD, following the successful completion of Acceptance Test Procedures. We now look forward to the first delivery of this highly capable aircraft type to RAF Waddington during 2023,” he said.

RAF Air Commodore Alex Hicks said: “The acceptance of the first Protector aircraft is a significant and exciting milestone in the delivery of this world-class capability to the Royal Air Force. The aircraft will be used to train RAF technicians how to maintain the capability, prior to the arrival of the first aircraft in the UK next year.”

ATP was performed jointly by the UK Ministry of Defence and GA-ASI following the completion of the aircraft production and acceptance procedures. ATP includes all inspections and tests performed on the hardware in operation for the aircraft and in conformance with the functional specification and technical requirements. Over the past two months, ATP has been performed at GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon flight operations facility in El Mirage, Calif. The aircraft will remain in the U.S. to support maintenance and pilot training.

ATP was also completed on the first two sets of Portable Pre-flight and Post-flight Equipment (P3Es). P3E is laptop size ground support equipment that enables SATCOM Automatic Taxi, Takeoff and Landing Capability from anywhere in the world greatly reducing the personnel and equipment fielding footprint. This game-changing capability eliminates forward based launch and recovery crew/hardware/maintainers, as well as providing agile deployment with emergency divert field landing. Additionally, the P3E doubles as ground support equipment when directly connected to the aircraft.

“This is another major milestone for MQ-9B and the Protector program,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “The Royal Air Force has been a great partner for General Atomics, and we’re thrilled to see ATP completed for this first customer aircraft.”

MQ-9B represents the next generation of RPA systems, having demonstrated airborne endurance of more than 40 hours in certain configurations, as well as a GA-ASI developed Detect and Avoid system. Its development is the result of a company-funded effort to deliver an RPA that can meet the stringent airworthiness certification requirements of various military and civil authorities.
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