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FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper tests low-cost APKWS laser-guided rockets for air/ground counter-UAS roles

The U.S. Air Force-backed MQ-9A Reaper successfully demonstrated firing APKWS laser-guided counter-UAS rockets against both air and ground targets. General Atomics said the “Reaper demo” supports a cost-effective approach to defeating inexpensive drone threats and opens a potential new counter-UAS niche for the MQ-9A.

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

Air Data News

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

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

Air Data News

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

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

FlightGlobal

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

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

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FlightGlobal

General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper tests low-cost APKWS laser-guided rockets for air/ground counter-UAS roles The U.S. Air Force-backed MQ-9A Reaper successfully demonstrated firing APKWS laser-guided counter-UAS rockets against both air and ground targets. General Atomics said the “Reaper demo” supports a cost-effective approach to defeating inexpensive drone threats and opens a potential new counter-UAS niche for the MQ-9A.

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

General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper tests low-cost APKWS laser-guided rockets for air/ground counter-UAS roles

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

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

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General Atomics News

General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper tests low-cost APKWS laser-guided rockets for air/ground counter-UAS roles

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

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

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

News Timeline