
General Atomics has teamed with Saab to develop an Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) solution for the MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft.
The consortium will base the capability on Saab’s proprietary AEW sensors, transforming the unmanned aerial system into a “persistent” surveillance and situational awareness asset for sustained maritime monitoring.
The resulting product will be offered for various applications, such as long-range detection and warning, simultaneous target tracking, combat systems integration, and satellite communications networking.
General Atomics noted that the project will be compatible with its entire MQ-9B family of drones, including the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian aircraft, the British military’s Protector model, and the latest MQ-9B STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) platform under development.
The companies are scheduled to conduct the maiden flight of the AEW&C-equipped MQ-9B variant in 2026.
GA-ASI is partnering with @Saab to develop Airborne Early Warning & Control capability for MQ-9B SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian® medium-altitude, long-endurance #UAS, transforming #AEWC access and affordability for #MQ9B customers.https://t.co/ve0mlnoSt4#RPAS #PAS2025… pic.twitter.com/MVloyPZS1P
— General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI) (@GenAtomics_ASI) June 16, 2025
“We’re developing an affordable AEW solution in cooperation with Saab, the leading provider of AEW&C systems, that will transform our customers’ operations against both sophisticated cruise missiles and simple but dangerous drone swarms,” General Atomics Aeronautical Systems President David Alexander stated.
“We’re also making AEW capability possible in areas it doesn’t exist today, such as from some navy warships at sea.”
The MQ-9B
The MQ-9B drone measures 38 feet (12 meters) long, has a wingspan of 79 feet (23 meters), and a payload capacity of 4,750 pounds (2,155 kilograms).
It is powered by a Honeywell turboprop engine and can be armed with precision-guided munitions as well as attack missiles.
The system can fly up to 300 miles (483 kilometers) per hour, has a range of 6,000 nautical miles (6,905 miles/11,112 kilometers), and an operational altitude of 43,00 feet (13,106 meters).
