MQ-9B Completes First AEW Test Flight

First flight of the world’s first unmanned Airborne Early Warning (AEW) solution with the General Atomics MQ-9B carrying the Saab LoyalEye radar sensor pod on May 19, 2026 at Desert Horizon in Southern California | Photo: GA-ASI

Saab and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) have completed the first flight of an unmanned Airborne Early Warning (AEW) system based on the MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft. The flight marked the beginning of a test and evaluation effort that is expected to continue for several months before a planned full capability demonstration later this year.

The flight took place on May 19 at GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon flight operations facility in Southern California using a company-owned MQ-9B aircraft fitted with Saab’s LoyalEye Airborne Early Warning radar pods.

The project combines Saab’s LoyalEye radar technology with the MQ-9B unmanned aircraft platform. The companies announced their partnership in 2025 with the goal of bringing Airborne Early Warning capabilities to an unmanned system.

Airborne early warning systems are designed to detect and track aircraft, missiles, drones and other aerial threats at long range. Such systems are commonly used to support command and control operations and to provide military commanders with information for decision-making.

According to the companies, the new system is intended to support several functions, including early detection and warning, long-range tracking and the simultaneous tracking of multiple targets. The system is also intended to operate both beyond line of sight and through satellite communications links.

Carl-Johan Bergholm, Senior Vice President and Head of Business Area Surveillance at Saab, said, “This partnership integrates MQ-9B with LoyalEye, equipping operators with vital information for critical decision-making. LoyalEye extends the capabilities of manned systems, and it offers persistent surveillance and greater operational flexibility. This enhances situational awareness and boosts mission success.”

David R. Alexander, President of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., said, “AEW for MQ-9B will offer critical aloft sensing to defend against tactical air munitions, guided missiles, drones, fighter and bomber aircraft, and other threats. Operational availability for a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS is the highest of any military aircraft, and as an unmanned platform, its aircrews are not put into harm’s way.”

MQ-9B variants currently include the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian platforms, the United Kingdom’s Protector aircraft and the MQ-9B STOL configuration being developed for aircraft carrier operations.