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FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

MQ-9B SkyGuardian achieves Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI) certification milestone via icing flight trials

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has concluded a series of flight tests aimed at certifying the MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft for Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI). The progress supports broader all-weather operating flexibility and expands the aircraft’s suitability for Arctic-environment missions, including known-icing flight conditions.

2026-04-21T05:33:32.443461-07:00

Breaking Defense

MQ-9B SeaGuardian® positioned for US Navy–Marine Corps maritime mission advantage

2026-04-20T12:43:18.543095-07:00

FlightGlobal

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

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

FlightGlobal

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

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

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

MQ-9B SkyGuardian achieves Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI) certification milestone via icing flight trials General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has concluded a series of flight tests aimed at certifying the MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft for Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI). The progress supports broader all-weather operating flexibility and expands the aircraft’s suitability for Arctic-environment missions, including known-icing flight conditions.

2026-04-21T05:33:32.443461-07:00

MQ-9B SkyGuardian achieves Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI) certification milestone via icing flight trials

Breaking Defense

MQ-9B SeaGuardian® positioned for US Navy–Marine Corps maritime mission advantage General Atomics frames the MQ-9B SeaGuardian as uniquely suited to meet modern conflict demands in the maritime battlespace, emphasizing its ability to deliver a decisive operational edge for Navy and Marine Corps missions. The pitch aligns with the platform’s broader role in persistent maritime ISR and maritime-domain operations.

2026-04-20T12:43:18.543095-07:00

MQ-9B SeaGuardian® positioned for US Navy–Marine Corps maritime mission advantage

Aviation Today

GA-ASI sets no date to resume YFQ-42A Dark Merlin flight testing after mishap General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has paused flight testing of its YFQ-42A Dark Merlin prototype for the US Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, following a mishap during development work. GA-ASI says it will not provide a timetable for resumption of flights while the investigation and review continue.

2026-04-16T14:50:46.363033-07:00

GA-ASI sets no date to resume YFQ-42A Dark Merlin flight testing after mishap

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

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General Atomics News

MQ-9B SkyGuardian achieves Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI) certification milestone via icing flight trials

MQ-9B SeaGuardian® positioned for US Navy–Marine Corps maritime mission advantage

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

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

News Timeline