Australian Defence Force Selects GA-ASI’s MQ-9B for Project Air 7003
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
Stage Set for World’s Largest Autonomous Race as A2RL Reaches Full Fan Capacity at Yas Marina Circuit13.11.2025 20:02:00 EET | Press release
The world’s largest autonomous car race will take place in Abu Dhabi on the 15th of November, as 11 teams from across the globe compete at the frontier of robotics, autonomy and AI for a US$2.25 million prize pool. A2RL Season 2 has been 18 months in the making, with the six fastest teams making it through the tough qualification process to the Grand Final. Ticket allocation for the Yas Marina Circuit event has once again reached full capacity of the main grandstand, as motorsport and technology enthusiasts excitedly prepare to witness an AI competition unlike any other. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113967122/en/ EAV-25 autonomous racecars from finalist teams line up on the grid at Yas Marina Circuit. (Photo: AETOSWire) Grand Final: Front row seat to AI history The A2RL Grand Final will mark the first time that six fully autonomous racecars will compete wheel-to-wheel on track. The six teams – TUM, Unimo
TRU Simulation announces delivery and acceptance of the Bell 505 Flight Training Device to Royal Jordanian Air Force13.11.2025 17:00:00 EET | Press release
TRU Simulation + Training Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, and an affiliate of Bell Textron Inc. today announced delivery and acceptance of the Bell 505 Flight Training Device (FTD) to the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF). The purchase agreement with the RJAF includes aircraft delivery complete with a flight training device and a comprehensive computer-based training package to support basic and advanced rotorcraft flight training at the King Hussein Air College in Mafraq, Jordan. This milestone follows the recent delivery of 10 Bell 505 helicopters to the RJAF. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113604706/en/ TRU Simulation + Training announced delivery and acceptance of the Bell 505 Flight Training Device (FTD) to the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF). “The Bell 505 Flight Training Device provides the Royal Jordanian Air Force a highly advanced training solution that enhances pilot readiness through r
TOURISE Destination Initiative Calls for Global Action for Urban Tourism Safety Through AI13.11.2025 16:42:00 EET | Press release
Launched today at the TOURISE Summit, the TOURISE Destination Initiative (TDI) brings together global leaders from government, international organizations, academia, and the private sector, to transform destinations into living laboratories for tourism innovation. Guided by its Declaration of Principles, TDI champions safety, environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and community-centered development through responsible technology and multi-sector collaboration. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113796086/en/ His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Tourism and Chairman of TOURISE, launches the TOURISE Destination Initiative, a global coalition to shape the future of tourism through a destination-centric approach, with co-chairs H.R.H. Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of Aseer Province, and Luigi Brugnaro, Mayor of Venice. They are joined with the TDI founding
Andersen Consulting Enhances Digital Transformation Offering with Criticalcase13.11.2025 16:30:00 EET | Press release
Andersen Consulting bolsters its capabilities through a Collaboration Agreement with Criticalcase, a European firm specializing in cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and managed IT services. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Italy, Criticalcase has distinguished itself in the cloud sector by designing and maintaining complex infrastructures for medium and large companies. Through customized solutions, the company offers a comprehensive suite of services including security, 24/7 monitoring, and system management—ensuring reliability, optimal performance, and protection down to the operating system level. “Our mission has always been to guide clients through complex technological challenges with a strategic and hands-on approach," said Luca Nunno, CEO of Criticalcase. “Collaborating with Andersen Consulting allows us to bring our expertise to a broader global audience and create value through innovation and digital excellence.” “Criticalcase excels at turning complexity into streaml
Twilio ’s Latest Report Highlights Conversational AI’s Rapid Adoption, Challenges, and Perception Gaps13.11.2025 16:00:00 EET | Press release
Twilio (NYSE: TWLO), the customer engagement platform that drives real-time, personalized experiences for today’s leading brands, today released its Inside the Conversational AI Revolution report.1 Based on a global survey of 457 business leaders and 4,800 consumers across 15 countries, the report unearths major trends related to conversational AI’s adoption, perceptions, and expectations, including a finding that 99% of organizations anticipate their conversational AI strategy will change in the next 12 months. “Businesses that want to successfully deploy conversational AI for customer service, sales, and marketing need to prioritize customer preferences in order to build long-term trust,” said Inbal Shani, chief product officer and head of R&D at Twilio. “As with any new technology, business leaders must be ready to navigate a rapidly changing technical landscape. The key capabilities to prioritize are flexibility, experimentation, and continuous monitoring of the customer experience
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