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
Leblon Delienne Joins LEXON at BOW to Expand Its Global Reach8.9.2026 15:36:00 EEST | Press release
BOW (Brands of Wonder), the international brand group behind French design brand LEXON, today announced the acquisition of Leblon Delienne, the French sculpture atelier known for transforming pop culture icons into collectible art and design objects. The move pairs the atelier’s distinctive French craftsmanship and licensed collections with BOW’s international reach and digital expertise. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260908641342/en/ Leblon Delienne Joins LEXON at BOW Juliette de Blegiers, who acquired the company in 2018, will remain a minority shareholder in Leblon Delienne and continue working alongside BOW founder Boris Brault and the atelier’s teams. For more than 40 years, Leblon Delienne has brought iconic characters to life through sculptures, figurines, furniture, and art and design objects, primarily in limited, numbered editions. Its licensed collections feature characters from Disney, Warner Bro
Visa Brings Onchain Lending into Everyday Payments8.9.2026 15:00:00 EEST | Press release
Today, Visa (NYSE: V) announced a new approach to onchain credit designed to help stablecoin-linked card programs and fintechs access working capital using onchain lending infrastructure and Visa data. Onchain lending has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments of digital finance. According to the Visa Onchain Analytics Dashboard, since 2020, more than $694 billion in stablecoin-denominated loans have been sent through onchain lending protocols, creating a global credit market that operates 24/7. Yet much of that activity remains concentrated within crypto markets and hasn’t meaningfully supported the businesses and payment experiences people use every day. Visa is helping bridge that gap by combining VisaNet settlement data with onchain credit infrastructure. This information can help lenders better understand how a program is operating, making it easier to evaluate financing opportunities that fit their needs and extend capital to support their goals. "Stablecoins are not only
Samsung Electronics and ASML Expand Strategic Collaboration for Next-Generation Semiconductor Manufacturing8.9.2026 14:51:00 EEST | Press release
Samsung Electronics and ASML today announced an expansion of their long-standing strategic partnership, deepening collaboration on High NA EUV lithography and advanced semiconductor manufacturing technologies that will help drive the next generation of innovation in the AI era. Building on years of successful cooperation, the companies will work together to accelerate the development and deployment of technologies that support the increasing performance and efficiency requirements of advanced semiconductor manufacturing. Samsung will join the industry initiative to advance next-generation 12-inch photomask technology for future manufacturing. The semiconductor industry has relied on the 6-inch photomask format for decades. With High NA EUV, the transition to larger, 12-inch masks is expected to further increase fab productivity, lower chipmaking costs and remove stitching constraints. It will enable advanced chip manufacturers to fully leverage the advantages of High NA EUV, making fut
Hovione Appoints Stefan Doboczky as Chief Executive Officer8.9.2026 14:16:00 EEST | Press release
Hovione Holding AG today announced the appointment of Stefan Doboczky as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective April 1, 2027. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260908358544/en/ Stefan Doboczky, Chief Executive Officer of Hovione. Photo credit: Karl Michalski. Stefan Doboczky has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hovione Holding AG since 2024, where he has been instrumental in shaping the company’s strategy and vision. He will step down as Chairman on assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer. Founded in 1959, Hovione is a family-owned pharmaceutical technology and services group serving the industry worldwide, with more than 2,600 employees, four FDA-inspected production and R&D sites in Europe, the United States and China, and internationally recognized technology leadership in spray drying and continuous tableting. The appointment marks a return to the pharmaceutical industry for Stefan Dob
Hirect to Showcase In-House Developed 6,000 HP Electric Locomotive Propulsion System and Indian Railways Contract at InnoTrans 20268.9.2026 14:09:00 EEST | Press release
Hirect (NSE: HIRECT), a premier manufacturer of heavy-duty electrical and power electronic systems for rail network rolling stock, will debut its new 6,000 HP locomotive propulsion system at InnoTrans 2026, Berlin, 22 - 25 September. The company will also announce the first development order for the complete trainset propulsion system, which will deliver the power and traction package for Indian Railways' next-generation Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) fleet. Hirect's 6,000 HP electric locomotive propulsion system — designed, engineered and manufactured entirely in-house, including its liquid-cooled IGBT traction inverters/converters and proprietary control software — completed its acceptance regime this year after successfully hauling loaded freight in a WAG-9 locomotive under India's severe duty cycles and demanding thermal operating environment. The qualification opens one of the world's largest locomotive markets to Hirect's complete propulsion package, and establishes a mod
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