Australian Defence Force Selects GA-ASI’s MQ-9B for Project Air 7003
5.12.2019 04:28:00 EET | Business Wire | Press release
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), the world’s leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), has been advised that the Australian Government has selected GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian® variant to provide the Armed RPAS for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) under Project Air 7003. This follows the Government’s announcement in November 2018 that GA-ASI would provide Armed RPAS to the ADF. The ADF expects to take first delivery in the early 2020s.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191204005989/en/
The Australian Government selected GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian® variant to provide the Armed RPAS for the Australian Defence Force under Project Air 7003. (Photo: Business Wire)
“We have worked closely with the ADF to determine the right RPAS to meet their needs,” said Linden Blue, CEO, GA-ASI. “MQ-9B will provide the all-weather, multi-mission support, and interoperability that the ADF requires. We look forward to working closely with our Australian industry partners to provide a highly capable RPAS to the ADF, while creating high-tech jobs in Australia.”
The ADF joins other top-tier military forces in choosing a GA-ASI RPAS because of its proven multi-role combat performance. MQ-9B is part of GA-ASI’s Predator® series of RPAS, which is the world’s most trusted and capable armed Medium-altitude, Long-endurance (MALE) RPAS, and hails from a family of aircraft that has flown more than six million flight hours.
The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) is acquiring the MQ-9B as part of its Protector RG Mk1 program and is scheduled for first delivery in the early 2020s. The Government of Belgium has approved Belgian Defense to negotiate for the acquisition of MQ-9B to meet the nation’s RPA requirements.
MQ-9B development is the result of a five-year, company funded program to deliver an unmanned aircraft system to meet the stringent airworthiness type-certification requirements of NATO and civil aviation authorities throughout the world. MQ-9B is provisioned for the GA-ASI-developed Detect and Avoid (DAA) system, which consists of air-to-air radar, Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS II), and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B). The MQ-9B is built for all-weather performance with lightning protection, damage tolerance, and de-icing system.
GA-ASI announced its intention to offer a MALE RPAS to the ADF during AVALON 2017 with the launch of Team Reaper Australia, a robust group of Australian industry partners. The team currently consists of ten world-class Australian companies providing a range of innovative sensor, communication, manufacturing and life-cycle support capabilities including Cobham (lead industry partner), CAE, Raytheon, Flight Data Systems, TAE Aerospace, Quickstep, AirSpeed, Collins Aerospace, Ultra, and SentientVision.
Hi-resolution images of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian are available to qualified media outlets from the GA-ASI media contact list.
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 nearly 6 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.
Predator, SkyGuardian and Lynx are registered trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191204005989/en/
Contact information
Steven Henden
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
+1 (858) 524-8101
ASI-MediaRelations@ga-asi.com
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
RSA Announces Expanded Partnership with Microsoft, Enhances Leadership in Passwordless Identity Security24.3.2026 18:00:00 EET | Press release
RSA today announced expanded support for the new Microsoft 365 E7: The Frontier Suite solution at RSAC Conference 2026. This new support joins additional passwordless capabilities that provide organizations with enhanced security, seamless experience, and resilient operations as they embrace the future of AI-driven productivity. By integrating RSA® ID Plus for Microsoft with Microsoft 365 E7, enterprises can ensure trusted authentication for both human users and AI agents, while safeguarding sensitive data and privileged operations across hybrid, cloud, and on-premises environments. This deployment follows RSA joining the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA), launching RSA Advisor for Admin Threats in Microsoft Security Copilot, and deploying RSA ID Plus Admin Logs Connector, further strengthening the ongoing collaboration between RSA and Microsoft. “The rise of AI agents in the enterprise means organizations need to rethink how they secure every identity—human and machine
Lexon × Jeff Koons Unveil the Chromatic Collection: a Colorful New Chapter for the Acclaimed Balloon Dog Lamp and Balloon Dog Speaker24.3.2026 16:10:00 EET | Press release
Following the success of its 2025 inaugural edition, the Lexon × Jeff Koons collaboration enters a bold new era with the launch of the Chromatic Collection—a colorful evolution of its Balloon Dog Lamp and Balloon Dog Speaker. Pre-orders will be available starting March 24, 2026, exclusively on lexon-design.com as part of a time-limited edition. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260324498068/en/ Lexon x Jeff Koons — new Chromatic Collection Retaining the signature translucent body that reveals the technology within, the Chromatic Collection introduces eight models: Balloon Dog Lamps in Gold, Blue, Red, and Platinum, and Balloon Dog Speakers in Gold, Blue, Red, and White, reinforcing the collectible nature of the series, offering new audiences an entry point while giving existing collectors the opportunity to enrich their collection. This new approach brings greater variety and a more personal dimension to the col
iQmetrix Joins TM Forum as ODA Component Directory Partner, Giving Telecom Operators a Faster, Cleaner Path to Modern Commerce24.3.2026 16:00:00 EET | Press release
iQmetrix, the global provider of Interconnected Commerce solutions purpose-built for telecom retail, today announced it has joined TM Forum and earned recognition as an Open Digital Architecture (ODA) Component Directory Partner. The achievement validates that iQmetrix aligns with the ODA vision and that its platform is built around standardized open APIs, modular cloud-native components, and interoperable architecture aligned with how leading operators are building their digital futures. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260324562860/en/ iQmetrix partners with TM Forum’s ODA Component Directory to accelerate open, future‑ready telecom transformation The recognition comes as communications service providers (CSPs) accelerate AI adoption and move away from integration-heavy legacy environments. For operators under pressure to reduce technical debt, lower cost, and move faster, architecture standards are no longer
Andersen Consulting Enters into a Collaboration Agreement with Ventum Consulting24.3.2026 15:30:00 EET | Press release
Andersen Consulting expands its global platform with the addition of collaborating firm Ventum Consulting, a German-based business transformation and technology consulting firm specializing in digital transformation, enterprise agility, product development, data-driven innovation, and emerging technologies such as AI. Ventum Consulting helps organizations bridge the gap between business and technology by delivering tailored solutions across strategy, process optimization, and IT implementation. The firm’s expertise includes data and AI, cybersecurity, enterprise architecture, sustainability, cloud transformation, and agile enablement, representing only a selection of their comprehensive service portfolio. Ventum Consulting works with clients across industries including automotive and manufacturing, financial services and insurance, healthcare and life sciences, and the public sector to accelerate digital transformation, enhance operational resilience, and drive measurable business valu
SES Taps K2 Space to Accelerate Next-Gen MEO Satellite Network, meoSphere24.3.2026 15:00:00 EET | Press release
SES, a space solutions company, today announced it will deploy meoSphere, a next-generation medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite network targeted for operation by 2030 and designed to significantly boost the company’s MEO network capacity. The program launches with a close collaboration designed for efficient satellite production. SES will pair its own software-defined payloads, being developed and manufactured in Luxembourg, with an initial 28 high-power satellite platforms developed by K2 Space, representing the first phase of the broader meoSphere rollout. The collaboration gives SES tighter control over key supply-chain elements, compresses the build timeline, and allows the company to manage schedules and costs with precision, laying the foundation for future scalability. meoSphere is SES’s next generation MEO network, significantly boosting global broadband capacity, increasing user data speeds while reducing terminal sizes and costs. These step-change improvements come from advanc
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom