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
Swedish Court Reschedules Publication of Judgment in PriceRunner Vs Google Antitrust Case3.6.2026 11:34:00 EEST | Press release
Klarna Group plc (NYSE: KLAR) wishes to update investors that the Patent and Market Court in Stockholm, Sweden (Patent- och marknadsdomstolen) has postponed publication of its judgment in the antitrust damages proceedings brought by PriceRunner, a Klarna subsidiary, against Google. The Court has rescheduled publication of its judgment from 10 June to 26 June, 2026 at 11:00 CET. Important Notice The outcome of the proceedings is inherently uncertain. No assurance can be given that PriceRunner will succeed on liability or quantum. Any award would be subject to appeal by Google, to sharing arrangements with former PriceRunner shareholders and Klarna’s litigation funder, and to applicable taxation. The dollar amount of the claim should not be taken as an indication of any likely recovery. This announcement does not constitute a profit forecast. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statement
Counterfeit Cigarettes Drive EU Illicit Market Above 10% for First Time Since 20143.6.2026 11:00:00 EEST | Press release
A new study detailing the scale of the illicit cigarette trade in the European Union (EU) shows that consumption of black-market cigarettes rose more than 7% year-on-year in 2025, reaching levels not seen in over a decade, with counterfeit cigarettes playing an increasingly significant role across member states. Philip Morris International (PMI) (NYSE: PM) reiterates its call for a coordinated response to illicit trade in Europe, built on evidence-based regulation and strengthened cooperation. According to the 20th edition of the study “Illicit cigarette and heated tobacco consumption, and oral nicotine share in Europe”, which was conducted by KPMG LLP on behalf of Philip Morris Products S.A., illicit cigarettes in the EU accounted for more than one in ten cigarettes for the first time since 2014. In 2025, illicit volumes reached 41.8 billion in the EU—representing 10.3% of total consumption—resulting in an estimated €16.7 billion in lost tax revenues. Across the 38 European countries
Veth Propulsion by Twin Disc Unveiled New Streamline ‑ CRP™ at Maritime Industry Event3.6.2026 11:00:00 EEST | Press release
Veth Propulsion by Twin Disc, a global leader in marine propulsion and maneuvering solutions, unveiled a new addition to its portfolio at Maritime Industry, a leading inland shipping tradeshow in the Netherlands, on June 2. Attendees experienced the debut firsthand. The new product, Streamline‑CRP™, is a major step forward in contra‑rotating propulsion technology. It was developed to meet the demand for higher efficiency, reduced emissions and better onboard comfort. It is purpose‑built for passenger cruise vessels and ferries. Streamline‑CRP delivers superior hydrodynamic performance, even in demanding, shallow‑water conditions. Streamline‑CRP is a next-generation azimuth thruster. It builds on Veth Propulsion’s long experience designing and making advanced propulsion systems. “Customers across the marine industry are demanding solutions that deliver both performance and efficiency,” said Bastiaan van Zuijlekom, Managing Director of Veth Propulsion. “Streamline‑CRP responds directly t
Live Story Expands Into Europe’s Most Innovation-Driven Markets Amid Growing Demand for Agile Digital Experiences3.6.2026 11:00:00 EEST | Press release
Live Story, a no-code Frontend Creative Platform, is accelerating its international expansion with a strategic focus on the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Nordics, following strong growth across its domestic markets in Italy and Switzerland, where the company doubled its ARR (Annual Recurring Revenues) in the first half of the year compared to the end of 2025. The platform enables brands to design, manage, and publish enterprise-grade digital experiences independently from development timelines, dramatically reducing time-to-market through a new “design-to-market” approach. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260603844284/en/ Live Story is a Milan-based no-code frontend creative platform The expansion reflects a strong alignment between Live Story’s vision and some of Europe’s most innovation-driven markets. The UK, Ireland, and Nordics are home to globally recognised fashion, lifestyle, and consumer brands, as
Coolbrook Appoints Veli-Matti Mattila as Chairman to Support the Next Phase of Industrial Scale-Up3.6.2026 09:00:00 EEST | Press release
Coolbrook, a transformational technology company dedicated to decarbonising heavy industry and industrial processes, has appointed renowned Finnish business leader Veli-Matti Mattila as Chairman of the Board effective immediately. Mattila brings decades of international leadership experience and board expertise to support Coolbrook’s next phase of commercial growth, industrial execution, and global scale-up. Veli-Matti Mattila is one of Finland’s most experienced technology business leaders, having served as CEO of Elisa Corporation from 2003 to 2024, following a long international career at Ericsson, where he held several senior leadership roles, including President of Ericsson Finland and COO & Deputy Head of Market Unit, Nordic & Baltic. He also spent four years in the U.S. and a period of time in Switzerland during his stint at Ericsson. He currently serves as Chairman of Orion Corporation and Enento Group, and has previously chaired Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK) and has
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