General Atomics News

DefenseNews.com

Missile makers expand production across hypersonic weapons and air defense

General Atomics will supply precision-machined parts and cable assemblies for the Army-Navy Common Hypersonic Glide Body under a Leidos subcontract running through 2031. Separate developments include automated production of Lockheed Martin’s QuadStar interceptor, a $218 million Karman agreement supporting THAAD output, and MBDA’s plan to fly a hypersonic interceptor demonstrator before the end of 2029.

Reuters

Leonardo lifts 2026 order outlook as nine-month orders rise 28% and backlog tops €60 billion

Leonardo reported €23.3 billion in new orders, revenue of €15.3 billion and EBITA of €1.3 billion for the first nine months of 2026. Net profit rose 74% to €812 million, and the company raised its full-year order outlook; its CEO says the backlog and improving delivery capacity will underpin stronger targets in a new industrial plan expected in March.

FlightGlobal

RAF Protector RG1 fleet logs 1,000 deployed hours in the Middle East

The Royal Air Force says its General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Protector RG1 fleet has passed 1,000 flight hours while deployed to the Middle East. The service describes the Reaper successor as a vital intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance asset, marking an early operational milestone for the aircraft.

The War Zone

General Atomics develops hybrid-electric NextGen strike-recon flying wing, plans FQ-42 air-to-ground live-fire trials

General Atomics is developing NextGen, a flying-wing aircraft for strike and reconnaissance missions that uses hybrid-electric propulsion. The company also aims to conduct live-fire tests next year of an air-to-ground derivative of its FQ-42 Vengeance collaborative combat aircraft.

The Air Current

Anduril and General Atomics face high-stakes test in Air Force uncrewed fighter competition

Anduril and General Atomics are vying for a role in the U.S. Air Force’s uncrewed fighter strategy, putting their technologies and ability to deliver in a consequential competition. The outcome could shape each company’s position in military aviation as the service pursues uncrewed combat aircraft.

AeroTime

General Atomics and Saab complete flight testing of LoyalEye early-warning system on MQ-9B

The companies have tested Saab’s LoyalEye airborne early-warning capability integrated into General Atomics’ MQ-9B, using new mission pods that first flew in May 2026. The effort combines an uncrewed aircraft with an airborne surveillance system; the companies have not disclosed performance data or customer commitments.

Breaking Defense

General Atomics outlines its strategy for Europe’s unmanned aircraft market

In a fireside chat, Dave Alexander of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems discusses how the company views Europe’s unmanned future and its approach to the regional market. The account offers a window into the U.S. defense aircraft maker’s positioning as it seeks to serve European demand for unmanned systems.

The War Zone

General Atomics and Spirit Defense team to ramp up FQ-42 fighter-drone production for USAF demand

General Atomics is working with Spirit Defense, a Boeing subsidiary, to help increase production of its FQ-42 collaborative combat aircraft as the U.S. Air Force seeks fighter drones over the next six years. The partnership points to an effort to build manufacturing capacity around the emerging uncrewed combat-aircraft requirement.