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FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

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

FlightGlobal

General Atomics restarts YFQ-42A flight testing after April crash; software fix targets autopilot weight miscalculation

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

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

DefenseNews.com

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

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

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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

General Atomics restarts YFQ-42A flight testing after April crash; software fix targets autopilot weight miscalculation General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has resumed flight testing of its YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft for the U.S. Air Force following an early-April prototype crash that destroyed the air vehicle. The return follows safety reviews and a software update addressing an autopilot weight miscalculation, with a brief post-crash pause before flights restarted.

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

General Atomics restarts YFQ-42A flight testing after April crash; software fix targets autopilot weight miscalculation

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

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

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General Atomics News

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

General Atomics restarts YFQ-42A flight testing after April crash; software fix targets autopilot weight miscalculation

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

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

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