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FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

U.S. Army awards GA-ASI contract to add ELINT to MQ-1C Gray Eagle ER

The U.S. Army has awarded General Atomics Aeronautical Systems a contract to upgrade the MQ-1C Gray Eagle Extended Range with enhanced electronic intelligence (ELINT) capabilities. The package targets long-range integrated air defense system (IADS) detection, geo-location via multi-sensor intelligence fusion, and more survivable UAV operations outside threat ranges.

2026-04-15T20:55:57.369747-07:00

FlightGlobal

General Atomics YFQ-42A loyal‑wingman prototype crashes in California; test flights paused

2026-04-06T18:22:02.663235-07:00

FlightGlobal

USAF, General Atomics validate F‑22 control of MQ‑20 Avenger in milestone manned–unmanned 'loyal wingman' demo

2026-02-23T22:00:38.780286-08:00

ga-asi.com

USAF and GA‑ASI Demonstrate Live Manned–Unmanned Teaming: F‑22 Commands MQ‑20 Avenger at Edwards AFB

2026-02-23T04:06:13.688501-08:00

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FlightGlobal

U.S. Army awards GA-ASI contract to add ELINT to MQ-1C Gray Eagle ER The U.S. Army has awarded General Atomics Aeronautical Systems a contract to upgrade the MQ-1C Gray Eagle Extended Range with enhanced electronic intelligence (ELINT) capabilities. The package targets long-range integrated air defense system (IADS) detection, geo-location via multi-sensor intelligence fusion, and more survivable UAV operations outside threat ranges.

2026-04-15T20:55:57.369747-07:00

U.S. Army awards GA-ASI contract to add ELINT to MQ-1C Gray Eagle ER

FlightGlobal

General Atomics awarded contract to integrate enhanced ELINT on U.S. Army MQ-1C Gray Eagle ER The U.S. Army has awarded General Atomics Aeronautical Systems a contract to upgrade the MQ-1C Gray Eagle Extended Range with enhanced electronic intelligence (ELINT) capabilities. The ISR-focused upgrade is intended to strengthen long-range electronic intelligence collection on the Gray Eagle ER fleet.

2026-04-15T20:55:57.369747-07:00

General Atomics awarded contract to integrate enhanced ELINT on U.S. Army MQ-1C Gray Eagle ER

The War Zone

General Atomics maps Mojave’s austere runways to loitering-strike UAS missions General Atomics says the Mojave testbed could operate from very rough fields and support a full mission set: escorting helicopters, striking targets, conducting surveillance and networking, and transporting cargo. The concept positions Mojave as a scalable hub for distributed unmanned operations from austere locations.

2026-04-15T10:34:59.565523-07:00

General Atomics maps Mojave’s austere runways to loitering-strike UAS missions

FlightGlobal

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General Atomics YFQ-42A loyal‑wingman prototype crashes in California; test flights paused A General Atomics YFQ-42A collaborative combat aircraft prototype crashed minutes after takeoff from a company‑owned desert airfield in California on April 6, prompting a suspension of flight testing and a formal investigation. The mishap interrupts ongoing USAF loyal‑wingman evaluations and related service assessments.

2026-04-06T18:22:02.663235-07:00

General Atomics YFQ-42A loyal‑wingman prototype crashes in California; test flights paused

AeroTime

Iranian drone strike at Kuwait's Ali Al Salem destroys Italian MQ‑9A Reaper An Italian MQ‑9A Reaper remotely piloted aircraft was destroyed at Kuwait's Ali Al Salem airbase in an Iranian drone strike that struck coalition assets. Kuwaiti air defences said they shot down multiple drones and reported normal radiation readings; Italy vowed it "will not be intimidated."

2026-03-16T02:08:51.886406-07:00

Iranian drone strike at Kuwait's Ali Al Salem destroys Italian MQ‑9A Reaper

FlightGlobal

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USAF, General Atomics validate F‑22 control of MQ‑20 Avenger in milestone manned–unmanned 'loyal wingman' demo The U.S. Air Force and General Atomics demonstrated manned–unmanned teaming when F‑22 pilots commanded an MQ‑20 Avenger during a live autonomy exercise at Edwards AFB. The trial validated MUM‑T control and loyal‑wingman concepts, advancing autonomous coordination for future combat operations and uncrewed strike roles.

2026-02-23T22:00:38.780286-08:00

USAF, General Atomics validate F‑22 control of MQ‑20 Avenger in milestone manned–unmanned 'loyal wingman' demo

ga-asi.com

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USAF and GA‑ASI Demonstrate Live Manned–Unmanned Teaming: F‑22 Commands MQ‑20 Avenger at Edwards AFB In a live mission at Edwards AFB, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and the U.S. Air Force demonstrated real‑time manned–unmanned teaming with an F‑22 Raptor commanding an MQ‑20 Avenger. The successful test validated crewed–uncrewed control concepts and loyal‑wingman force‑multiplication for future air combat.

2026-02-23T04:06:13.688501-08:00

USAF and GA‑ASI Demonstrate Live Manned–Unmanned Teaming: F‑22 Commands MQ‑20 Avenger at Edwards AFB

The War Zone

General Atomics names YFQ-42A 'Dark Merlin' for USAF Collaborative Combat Aircraft General Atomics has formally designated its Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototype YFQ-42A “Dark Merlin”, positioning the unmanned fighter to operate alongside manned platforms in the USAF’s NGAD/CCA architecture. The name signals a step forward as the prototype moves toward demonstrations and potential competition for service procurement.

2026-02-23T03:53:48.711016-08:00

General Atomics names YFQ-42A 'Dark Merlin' for USAF Collaborative Combat Aircraft

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General Atomics News

U.S. Army awards GA-ASI contract to add ELINT to MQ-1C Gray Eagle ER

General Atomics YFQ-42A loyal‑wingman prototype crashes in California; test flights paused

USAF, General Atomics validate F‑22 control of MQ‑20 Avenger in milestone manned–unmanned 'loyal wingman' demo

USAF and GA‑ASI Demonstrate Live Manned–Unmanned Teaming: F‑22 Commands MQ‑20 Avenger at Edwards AFB

News Timeline