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
Toluna Appoints Amy Fenton as Chief Executive Officer14.10.2026 16:30:00 EEST | Press release
Toluna, a global leader in consumer insights and market research technology, today announces the appointment of Amy Fenton as Chief Executive Officer, effective October 15, 2026. Ms. Fenton succeeds Frédéric Charles Petit, who founded Toluna and has led the company for 25 years. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261014103169/en/ Amy Fenton appointed as new Chief Executive Officer, Toluna The appointment concludes the structured succession process announced on October 8, 2026, led by the Board in close consultation with Mr. Petit and supported by a leading executive search firm. Ms. Fenton brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in the insights and analytics industry. She joins Toluna from MarketCast, where she served as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors, after leading the company’s operations, insights, and analytics. Before MarketCast, she was Chief Client Officer, North
BanyanGlobal Family Business Advisors Named Family Business Advisory Practice of the Year at the STEP Private Client Awards for the Fourth Time14.10.2026 16:05:00 EEST | Press release
BanyanGlobal Family Business Advisors ("Banyan") has been named Family Business Advisory Practice of the Year at the 21st annual STEP Private Client Awards, one of the most respected international honors in the private client profession. It is the fourth time Banyan has won the category, following wins in 2018, 2020 and 2021. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261013883351/en/ Kelly Greig, STEP Board Member and Dennis Jaffe, BanyanGlobal Family Business Advisors at the awards ceremony. BanyanGlobal won the Family Business Advisory Practice of the Year at the 21st Annual STEP Private Client Awards. The independent judging panel singled out Banyan's approach: "BanyanGlobal Family Business Advisors has redefined family business advisory by combining governance with helping families build skills and confidence for long-term ownership. Its innovative approach and long-standing client relationships helped make it the s
Telekom Srbija Group Expands AI Investment and Strengthens U.S. Technology Partnerships14.10.2026 16:02:00 EEST | Press release
Following the October 1 agreement between Serbia and the United States to strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), Telekom Srbija Group is expanding its AI investment and deepening relationships with leading U.S. technology companies as part of its strategy to develop the next generation digital services. As part of these efforts, Telekom Srbija Group has engaged with the U.S. State Department, Department of Commerce and Export-Import Bank to explore opportunities for technology cooperation and project financing, with the ambition of becoming a preferred regional partner for U.S. companies. “Artificial intelligence represents one of the greatest opportunities for the future of telecommunications and digital services,” said Vladimir Lučić, CEO of Telekom Srbija Group. “We have been investing in this technology for several years, and our focus is now on accelerating its practical application. By combining AI innovation with our expanding 5G infrastructure and international
Wolters Kluwer names Alberto de Benito Aznar General Manager of Audit & Assurance14.10.2026 16:00:00 EEST | Press release
Wolters Kluwer, a global leader in professional information, software solutions and services, today announced the appointment of Alberto de Benito Aznar as General Manager of its Audit & Assurance business, part of the Corporate Performance & ESG division. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261014786222/en/ De Benito Aznar returns to a business and market he knows well. He began his Wolters Kluwer career more than 10 years ago in Corporate Strategy and subsequently led operations for Audit & Assurance before serving most recently as General Manager of Corporate Tax. “Alberto brings a strong combination of strategic, operational and commercial leadership to Audit & Assurance,” said Maria Montenegro, CEO of Corporate Performance & ESG at Wolters Kluwer. “His leadership of Corporate Tax, combined with his previous experience in Audit & Assurance, gives him a valuable perspective as we build on TeamMate’s strong posi
Lenovo Uncovers What Happens When Entrepreneurs Look Beyond Borders for Support14.10.2026 16:00:00 EEST | Press release
Today, Lenovo debuts the first episode of its new documentary series from Backing Every Business, its global initiative designed to connect small businesses with the people, technology and support they need to grow and thrive. The series features five businesses participating in Twinning, Lenovo’sprogram that brings small business founders from around the world together, connecting them through mentorship across shared growth goals, access to resources including technology, AI training, funding designed to help address real business challenges and turn new ideas into action. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261014736241/en/ The four-part series follows entrepreneurs from Japan, Mexico, the U.K. and the U.S. as they step inside one another’s businesses, experience unfamiliar industries and cultures and share the knowledge they have gained from building their own businesses. A meeting between strangers evolves in
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