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defence-industry.eu • Lukasz Prus

GA-ATS officially rolls out the Do228 NXT at Oberpfaffenhofen, advancing the next-generation Dornier 228 utility turboprop

General Atomics AeroTec Systems (GA-ATS) has formally rolled out the Do228 NXT twin-turboprop at its Oberpfaffenhofen facility near Munich, in a ceremony attended by roughly 500 industry, government and defence stakeholders. The updated Do228 NXT is positioned for upgraded civil and military utility missions and follows the program’s demonstrator test phase.

2026-06-08T16:02:48.484251-07:00

FlightGlobal

GA-ASI and Saab complete first flight of MQ-9B SkyGuardian with Saab LoyalEye airborne early warning radar

2026-05-21T09:38:36.247976-07:00

FlightGlobal

GA-ASI restarts flight testing of YFQ-42A CCA after April prototype crash

2026-05-21T21:10:33.287494-07:00

Air Data News

General Atomics’ GA-ATS completes maiden flight of Do228 NXT modernization demonstrator

2026-05-04T04:12:50.775350-07:00

News Timeline

defence-industry.eu

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GA-ATS officially rolls out the Do228 NXT at Oberpfaffenhofen, advancing the next-generation Dornier 228 utility turboprop General Atomics AeroTec Systems (GA-ATS) has formally rolled out the Do228 NXT twin-turboprop at its Oberpfaffenhofen facility near Munich, in a ceremony attended by roughly 500 industry, government and defence stakeholders. The updated Do228 NXT is positioned for upgraded civil and military utility missions and follows the program’s demonstrator test phase.

2026-06-08T16:02:48.484251-07:00

GA-ATS officially rolls out the Do228 NXT at Oberpfaffenhofen, advancing the next-generation Dornier 228 utility turboprop

FlightGlobal

AFSOC MQ-9 Reapers integrate GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb for improved stand-off strike U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command MQ-9 Reaper aircraft have gained integration for the GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb, expanding the drones’ precision strike options with a more capable stand-off weapon from a key uncrewed platform. The change supports longer-range effects while preserving Reaper’s mission flexibility.

2026-05-22T00:55:07.820838-07:00

AFSOC MQ-9 Reapers integrate GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb for improved stand-off strike

FlightGlobal

GA-ASI restarts flight testing of YFQ-42A CCA after April prototype crash General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has resumed flight testing of its YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft following an April mishap that destroyed a prototype. The company says the return to flight followed safety reviews and a software fix addressing an autopilot weight miscalculation, with the Air Force calling the crash response “accept acquisition/test risk.”

2026-05-21T21:10:33.287494-07:00

GA-ASI restarts flight testing of YFQ-42A CCA after April prototype crash

DefenseNews.com

USAF calls MQ-9 Reaper the “MVP” in Epic Fury as lawmakers weigh manned-unmanned priorities Air Force leaders told Congress the remotely piloted MQ-9 Reaper was a “workhorse” in the U.S. air campaign against Iran, even as the fiscal 2027 budget request continues to concentrate aircraft funding in crewed fighters. The testimony comes alongside new industry work on expendable autonomous drone engines, including GE426 proposals.

2026-05-21T11:10:25.711914-07:00

USAF calls MQ-9 Reaper the “MVP” in Epic Fury as lawmakers weigh manned-unmanned priorities

FlightGlobal

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GA-ASI and Saab complete first flight of MQ-9B SkyGuardian with Saab LoyalEye airborne early warning radar General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) and Saab have completed the first flight of an MQ-9B configured with Saab-designed LoyalEye airborne early warning (AEW) pods. The companies say it is the first unmanned AEW platform of its kind, advancing persistent AEW surveillance for missions where manned aircraft are unavailable.

2026-05-21T09:38:36.247976-07:00

GA-ASI and Saab complete first flight of MQ-9B SkyGuardian with Saab LoyalEye airborne early warning radar

FlightGlobal

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USAF and GA-ASI test APKWS integration on MQ-9A Reaper, demonstrating low-cost drone-kill capability against air and ground targ General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) and the U.S. Air Force completed flight testing of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) on the MQ-9A Reaper. The demonstrations included engagement of aerial targets using inexpensive air-to-air missiles/rockets, and successful test shots against both air and ground targets as the Air Force pursues cost-effective counter-UAS options.

2026-05-11T16:19:49.721795-07:00

USAF and GA-ASI test APKWS integration on MQ-9A Reaper, demonstrating low-cost drone-kill capability against air and ground targ

Air Data News

SOCOM trims OA-1K Skyraider II buy, rebalances toward MQ-9 Reaper “drone mothership” concept in FY2027 budget request U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) says its fiscal 2027 budget request will scale back the planned acquisition of the OA-1K Skyraider II while increasing investment in unmanned systems centered on the MQ-9 Reaper. SOCOM also seeks to evolve the MQ-9 remotely piloted aircraft system into a “mothership” architecture for future operations.

2026-05-05T02:06:29.533542-07:00

SOCOM trims OA-1K Skyraider II buy, rebalances toward MQ-9 Reaper “drone mothership” concept in FY2027 budget request

Air Data News

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General Atomics’ GA-ATS completes maiden flight of Do228 NXT modernization demonstrator General Atomics AeroTec Systems (GA-ATS) has completed the maiden flight of the Do228 NXT demonstrator on May 2, 2026, at OBERPFAFFENHOFEN. Flight-testing will continue over the coming weeks to assess operational and speed characteristics as the program moves toward market entry.

2026-05-04T04:12:50.775350-07:00

General Atomics’ GA-ATS completes maiden flight of Do228 NXT modernization demonstrator

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General Atomics News

GA-ATS officially rolls out the Do228 NXT at Oberpfaffenhofen, advancing the next-generation Dornier 228 utility turboprop

GA-ASI and Saab complete first flight of MQ-9B SkyGuardian with Saab LoyalEye airborne early warning radar

GA-ASI restarts flight testing of YFQ-42A CCA after April prototype crash

General Atomics’ GA-ATS completes maiden flight of Do228 NXT modernization demonstrator

News Timeline