/** * Custom footer links injection */ function add_custom_footer_links() { echo ''; } add_action('wp_footer', 'add_custom_footer_links'); GA ASI – Born to Drone https://borntodrone.org Aerial photography services Thu, 16 Oct 2025 15:26:38 +0000 en-AU hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.5 GA-ASI and Dutch Ministry of Defense Sign Agreement To Develop New Defense Capabilities https://borntodrone.org/ga-asi-and-dutch-ministry-of-defense-sign-agreement-to-develop-new-defense-capabilities/ Thu, 16 Oct 2025 15:26:38 +0000 https://www.suasnews.com/?p=102878

On October 16, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and the Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed an agreement to develop innovative defense capabilities starting with a small unmanned aircraft system (SUAS) designed to provide multi-role intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The new platform will be low cost and able to host a variety of operationally relevant payloads and capabilities.

The partnership envisions implementing a business model that will enable the platform to scale up to high-volume production to meet demand.

“This contract is the first step in a strategic partnership with the Dutch MoD that will ultimately contribute to the defense of Ukraine and NATO by creating a versatile European defense system,” said GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue.

GA-ASI is the world leader in UAS products and capabilities. The company is building on its established relationship with the Netherlands to create an urgently needed partnership to help defend Europe.

As part of the first phase of the contract, the Dutch MOD will collaborate with GA-ASI to establish UAS manufacturing capability.

Minister for Arms Procurement and Personnel Gijs Tuinman mentioned that this partnership is important: “Together with GA we will be increasing innovative SUAS capabilities and advancing technical knowhow in the Netherlands. This project is an example of strategic trans-Atlantic collaboration that supports our defense and technological base as we contribute to the defense of Ukraine and NATO by creating a versatile European defense system and working with a strong U.S. partner.”

VDL Defentec has been selected by GA-ASI to provide contract manufacturing of the new SUAS. VDL Defentec is based in the Netherlands and specializes in the development, engineering, subcontracting and production of military and special-purpose vehicles and other platforms. GA-ASI will work closely with VDL and provide detailed knowledge about the design, manufacture, logistics, and support of the new SUAS.

“We are excited having been selected by General Atomics and we are proud to support Dutch MOD to create, together with GA-ASI, this unique capability for the Netherlands making our country and our allies more resilient,” said Paul Malcontent, managing director of VDL Defentec.

The new aircraft is expected to fly before the end of this year with low-rate initial production expected to commence in 2026 in both the U.S. and the Netherlands.

About GA-ASI

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is the world’s foremost builder of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Logging more than 9 million flight hours, the Predator® line of UAS has flown for over 30 years and includes MQ-9A Reaper®, MQ-1C Gray Eagle®, MQ-20 Avenger®, and MQ-9B SkyGuardian®/SeaGuardian®. The company is dedicated to providing long-endurance, multi-mission solutions that deliver persistent situational awareness and rapid strike.

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]]> GA-ASI Completes Final Qualification Test for HFE 2.0 Engine https://borntodrone.org/ga-asi-completes-final-qualification-test-for-hfe-2-0-engine/ Thu, 21 Nov 2024 09:21:06 +0000 https://www.suasnews.com/?p=99691

On Nov. 13, 2024, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), completed its final qualification test for its new 200-horsepower heavy fuel engine at its El Mirage, California, flight facility. The Heavy Fuel Engine (HFE) 2.0 is a highly reliable low-maintenance engine with a 40 percent increase in service life providing longer maintenance-free operational periods. The engine will provide the horsepower and electrical power required to meet the demanding performance needs of the new Gray Eagle 25M for Multi-Domain Operations (MDO).

The three-week qualification test of the HFE 2.0 engine is aligned with the Federal Aviation Administration’s endurance test requirements (FAA 14 CFR 33.49) as the FAA’s primary performance standard for engines to be used in commercial aviation. Over the last 18 months, HFE 2.0 excelled in strenuous durability testing that included 2,450 full power cycles simulating high stress conditions during three extensive test profiles of 200, 400, and 651 hours. Additionally, the engine completed 50 hours of flight testing across the flight envelope.

“This test is the culmination of the extensive durability and flight test program for the HFE 2.0 engine,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “It’s been great to see the outstanding test results that have validated the design and development of the HFE 2.0 engine we have worked on so passionately for the past seven years and to bring this world-class engine to the Gray Eagle fleet.”

GA-ASI and its General Atomics Europe affiliate partnered with global leaders in high-performance engines — supported by propulsion technology innovator Cosworth — to develop an engine on the company’s internally funded research and development program. GA-ASI also brought in General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems to design and build the engine’s dual brushless generator, which will dramatically reduce field maintenance and is designed to be a drop-in replacement for the existing generator. The enhanced generator will deliver over 50 percent more electrical power to support newly available payloads for the MDO mission.

After completion of the FAA engine endurance test, next steps call for the U.S. Army certification process to allow authorization of the HFE 2.0 for use on the existing fleet of GA-ASI’s Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE ER) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) as a replacement for the 180-horsepower engine that is reaching its end of life. HFE 2.0 is also the cornerstone of the modernized Gray Eagle 25M (GE 25M) UAS currently being produced under a U.S. Army-funded program to support future MDO UAS missions.

About GA-ASI

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable RPA systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. With more than eight million flight hours, GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent situational awareness. The company also produces a variety of sensor control/image analysis software, offers pilot training and support services, and develops meta-material antennas.

For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com

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]]> GA-ASI Flies MQ-9B With Pratt and Whitney Canada’s PT6 E-Series Engine https://borntodrone.org/ga-asi-flies-mq-9b-with-pratt-and-whitney-canadas-pt6-e-series-engine/ Sat, 20 Jul 2024 12:13:22 +0000 https://www.suasnews.com/?p=98396

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) flew a company-owned MQ-9B SkyGuardian® Remotely Piloted Aircraft on July 15, 2024, with a PT6 E-Series model turboprop engine supplied by Pratt & Whitney Canada. Representatives from GA-ASI and Pratt & Whitney witnessed the first flight of the PT6 engine on MQ-9B, which lasted 44 minutes and demonstrated exemplary handling and acceleration.

“We’re excited to see the PT6 engine on our MQ-9B aircraft,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “We’ve worked with Pratt & Whitney for years, specifically on our jet-powered Avenger®, and we’ve enjoyed a very productive partnership. The first flight marks an important milestone for MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian® customers and missions that require additional power. In addition, customers who choose the Pratt & Whitney engine will benefit from low sustainment costs from best-in-class Time Between Overhauls, as well as 50+ maintenance and overhaul facilities around the globe.”

The PT6 E-Series is a reliable and versatile turboprop engine family that delivers key performance enhancements applicable to future MQ-9B missions. PT6 delivers a 33 percent increase in power over MQ-9B’s current engine, with a highly mature dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Controller.

MQ-9B is GA-ASI’s next generation RPA, delivering exceptionally long endurance and range, with auto takeoff and landing under SATCOM-only control, and will be able to operate in unsegregated airspace using the GA-ASI-developed Detect and Avoid system.

Deliveries of MQ-9B have begun for the United Kingdom, with contracts in place with Belgium, Canada, Taiwan, and the U.S. Air Force in support of the Special Operations Command. The Japan Coast Guard is currently operating MQ-9B for maritime operations, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) selected MQ-9B for its Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Trial Operation Project. MQ-9B has also supported various U.S. Navy exercises, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, and Group Sail.

About GA-ASI

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable RPA systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. With more than eight million flight hours, GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent situational awareness. The company also produces a variety of sensor control/image analysis software, offers pilot training and support services, and develops meta-material antennas.

For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com

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]]> GA-ASI continues focus on Canada https://borntodrone.org/ga-asi-continues-focus-on-canada/ Tue, 17 May 2022 18:30:25 +0000 https://www.suasnews.com/?p=85218

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), the world leader in Remotely Piloted Aircraft, announced today that they have opened a new office near Confederation Park in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. In a related move, GA-ASI is proud to announce it has appointed Michel Lalumiere as its International Strategic Development director for Canada. Lalumiere will be based in Ottawa.

The Canadian government recently announced a request for proposal (RFP) for its Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) Project. GA-ASI’s coalition of Canadian businesses, which includes CAE Canada, L3Harris Technologies’ Canadian subsidiary WESCAM and MDA – known as Team SkyGuardian® Canada – is preparing its submission.

“This is part of our building a long-term relationship with Canada,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “We will lean on the knowledge and experience Michel has gained over his years with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) for the numerous projects we have ongoing in Canada with the Government of Canada, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and other Departments, including our hope that our Team SkyGuardian Canada offering will play a central role for the Canadian Government’s RPAS plan.”

In addition to Lalumiere’s 36 years of service to the RCAF where he attained the rank of Major-General, he has been active since his retirement in the Canadian Defence and Security community and is a committed advocate for innovation in its institutions. He led the Defence Space Program in the CAF and the Capability Development procurement efforts in the RCAF as the Director-General Force Development Air Force, as well as Chief Fighter Capability.

“I’m excited to take on this new opportunity,” said Lalumiere. “The Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems sector is truly at a transformational juncture in Canada, and the world frankly, with the Canadian industry postured to enable this implementation acceleration and expansion with GA-ASI. I am honored to take part of this transformation.”

About GA-ASI

General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. With more than seven million flight hours, GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent flight that enables situational awareness and rapid strike. The company also produces a variety of ground control stations and sensor control/image analysis software, offers pilot training and support services, and develops meta-material antennas. For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com

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