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FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

GA-ASI completes MQ-9B SkyGuardian “Flight Into Known Icing” (FIKI) certification tests

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems says it has concluded a flight test campaign to certify the MQ-9B SkyGuardian for Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI), including a series of flights conducted in known icing conditions. The effort is positioned as a step toward broader all-weather, high-latitude operational capability.

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

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

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

Aviation Today

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

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

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

GA-ASI completes MQ-9B SkyGuardian “Flight Into Known Icing” (FIKI) certification tests General Atomics Aeronautical Systems says it has concluded a flight test campaign to certify the MQ-9B SkyGuardian for Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI), including a series of flights conducted in known icing conditions. The effort is positioned as a step toward broader all-weather, high-latitude operational capability.

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

GA-ASI completes MQ-9B SkyGuardian “Flight Into Known Icing” (FIKI) certification tests

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

GA-ASI completes MQ-9B SkyGuardian “Flight Into Known Icing” (FIKI) certification tests

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

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

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

News Timeline