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
Ant International's Agentic Mobile Protocol Rolls Out Globally with Wallets and Acquirers; Initiating Collaboration on KYA Interoperability Framework with Mastercard and Visa11.9.2026 06:26:00 EEST | Press release
As Ant International builds out its Agentic Mobile Protocol (AMP) with deeper interoperability and open-source initiatives, fintech and payment leaders are deploying the protocol globally at an accelerated pace, to enable trusted agentic transactions in large-scale commercial scenarios. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260910162444/en/ Ant International's Agentic Mobile Protocol is rolling out across the global mobile payment ecosystem Towards building the World's Largest Agentic Payment Network The AI economy is built on the ability of the financial industry to ensure AI agents interact to make decisions and execute transactions end-to-end for consumers and businesses, securely, smoothly and with full authorisation across all payment rails, especially in prevalent mobile payment scenarios through QR scans, card swipes or phone taps. Launched in April 2026, the AMP is an open payment protocol built by Ant Inter
Peter Rauch Named President of Mountain Hardwear11.9.2026 02:00:00 EEST | Press release
Columbia Sportswear Company (Nasdaq: COLM), a leading innovator in active outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment, today announced that Peter Rauch will be the new President of the Mountain Hardwear brand. Mountain Hardwear's mission is to encourage and equip people to seek wilder paths. With over 30 years of wild wisdom, Mountain Hardwear continues to offer premium technical apparel, accessories and equipment products for climbers, mountaineers, skiers, snowboarders, and trail athletes. Troy Sicotte will transition to a new role as Global Vice President, Sales for Mountain Hardwear. Mr. Rauch transitions from his current role as General Manager of Columbia Brand North America and brings nearly 20 years of leadership experience across the Columbia family of brands, deep industry knowledge and a genuine passion for the outdoors. "Throughout his career, Peter has built strong cross-functional partnerships, developed high-performing teams, and delivered meaningful business re
CORRECTING and REPLACING Netskrt to Showcase Media Over QUIC Work with Oracle at IBC 202611.9.2026 00:45:00 EEST | Press release
Please replace paragraphs 8 and 10 with the new paragraphs. The updated release reads: NETSKRT TO SHOWCASE MEDIA OVER QUIC WORK WITH ORACLE AT IBC 2026 Netskrt and Oracle to demonstrate end-to-end MOQ delivery and discuss the future of low-latency live streaming Netskrt, an independent content delivery network built for high-concurrency streaming events, today announced that it will showcase its work to advance Media Over QUIC (MOQ) at IBC 2026, taking place Sept. 11-14 at RAI Amsterdam. As part of the event, Netskrt will demonstrate with Oracle how independently operated CDN infrastructure can participate in a coordinated MOQ delivery path designed to bring live media closer to viewers. MOQ is an emerging IETF effort designed to support low-latency media delivery at scale, with live streaming among its primary use cases. Its relay-based architecture enables media to move through distributed infrastructure closer to audiences, creating new possibilities for reducing latency while effic
Rajant and Nokia Announce Collaboration to Deliver Integrated Networking Technology and Distributed Edge AI Platform for Mission-Critical Enterprises10.9.2026 21:28:00 EEST | Press release
Rajant Corporation and Nokia announce a collaboration to integrate Rajant’s Kinetic Mesh® networking technology and Cowbell distributed computing AI platform with the Nokia Cognitive Operations platform, a ruggedized multi-access edge AI platform for mission-critical operations. This collaboration will deliver unique benefits to unify mission-critical connectivity, distributed edge intelligence, and cognitive operational capabilities for mining, ports, public safety, oil and gas, defense, and other industrial sectors operating in demanding environments. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260910577329/en/ Rajant Kinetic Mesh® + Rajant Health Cowbell distributed edge AI platform bring resilient connectivity and intelligence to mission-critical operations. “By collaborating with Rajant, Nokia is bringing together our Cognitive Operations platform with proven Kinetic Mesh networking to deliver resilient, intelligent
The LYCRA Company Makes NSC Safety Congress & Expo Debut10.9.2026 20:45:00 EEST | Press release
The LYCRA Company, a global leader in developing fiber and technology solutions for the apparel and personal care industries, today announced its inaugural exhibition at the NSC Safety Congress & Expo, being held September 14-16 in Indianapolis. The company also marks the North American debut of its “FIBERS THATWORK” portfolio of innovative solutions for workwear, uniforms, and protective apparel. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260910402207/en/ The LYCRA Company will debut its FIBERS THAT WORK portfolio at the NSC Safety Congress & Expo in Indianapolis, highlighting fiber technologies engineered to enhance comfort, durability, visibility, and protection in workwear and protective apparel. "Comfort is fundamental to workwear performance," said Tara Maurer-Mackay, product category director, branded specialty products at The LYCRA Company. "Our innovations help workers adapt to changing conditions throughout the
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