San Diego, May 16, 2023 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) has marked a significant milestone in their ongoing collaboration with the US Marine Corps (USMC) by successfully delivering the first new-build MQ-9A Extended Range (ER) unmanned aerial system (UAS).

Enhancing Marine Air-Ground Task Force Capabilities

The delivery of the MQ-9A ER UAS took place on April 19, 2023, and is part of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Unmanned Expeditionary (MUX) Program. Additionally, GA-ASI was awarded a contract in 2022 to provide a total of eight MQ-9A ER UAS to the USMC under the ARES Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (ID/IQ) contract.

Designing the MQ-9A ER UAS

The MQ-9A ER is designed to enhance the USMC’s capabilities with its extended endurance and field-retrofittable features. The aircraft’s endurance has been extended to over 30 hours, allowing for extended missions and increased operational flexibility. With the addition of wing-borne fuel pods and reinforced landing gear, the MQ-9A ER offers improved range and adaptability.

Equipped with advanced sensor capabilities, including Full-Motion Video and Synthetic Aperture Radar, the MQ-9A ER provides the USMC with long-endurance surveillance capabilities. This enables the collection of real-time data, enhancing situational awareness and supporting critical missions.

Fred Darlington, the Vice President for MQ-9 Systems at GA-ASI, expressed his excitement about the delivery, stating that it strengthens the relationship between GA-ASI, the USMC, and Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). He emphasized the significance of launching the MUX MALE (Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance) Program of Record, moving it from concept into reality.

GA-ASI’s Previous Deliveries to the USMC

GA-ASI has a proven track record in the field of unmanned aviation systems, having delivered millions of flight hours with their remotely piloted aircraft. Their commitment to providing mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems aligns with the USMC’s requirements for persistent flight and rapid strike capabilities.

In addition to the MQ-9A ER UAS, GA-ASI has previously delivered two MQ-9A Reaper Block 5 drones to the USMC in 2021. These deliveries demonstrate the company’s continued support for the USMC’s evolving mission requirements and its commitment to advancing unmanned aviation capabilities.

GA-ASI has also conducted training exercises with the USMC using the MQ-9A Reaper drone at Twentynine Palms, California, further showcasing the partnership and collaboration between the two entities.

Role of the MQ-9A ER UAS for USMC

As the USMC continues to modernize its capabilities, the delivery of the first MQ-9A ER UAS serves as a testament to the progress made in unmanned aviation systems. The extended range and endurance of the MQ-9A ER UAS will significantly contribute to the USMC

mission success and its ability to operate effectively in various operational scenarios.

With GA-ASI’s delivery of the first MQ-9A ER UAS to the USMC, both parties look forward to utilizing this cutting-edge technology to further advance their mission objectives. The MQ-9A ER UAS will provide the USMC with enhanced surveillance capabilities, allowing them to gather critical intelligence and conduct targeted operations more effectively.

The delivery of the MQ-9A ER UAS signifies a strong partnership between GA-ASI, the USMC, and NAVAIR, demonstrating their joint commitment to advancing unmanned aviation systems. This milestone marks the transition of the MUX MALE Program from a concept into a reality, showcasing the progress made in developing and deploying state-of-the-art unmanned aircraft.

The MQ-9A ER UAS is designed to meet and exceed manned aircraft reliability standards, ensuring its robustness and dependability in demanding operational environments. With its extended endurance, the aircraft can remain airborne for over 30 hours, enabling long-duration missions and persistent surveillance capabilities.

The field-retrofittable capabilities of the MQ-9A ER, such as wing-borne fuel pods and reinforced landing gear, offer increased flexibility and adaptability to meet evolving mission requirements. The USMC can utilize this versatility to conduct intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeted strikes.

Advanced Sensor Capabilities

The advanced sensor capabilities of the MQ-9A ER UAS, including Full-Motion Video and Synthetic Aperture Radar, provide real-time situational awareness, enabling commanders to make informed decisions swiftly and effectively. The aircraft’s ability to capture high-quality imagery and gather real-time data supports the USMC’s objective of maintaining a tactical advantage in dynamic operational environments.

GA-ASI’s extensive experience in designing and manufacturing remotely piloted aircraft systems positions them as a trusted industry leader. Their commitment to delivering mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems has solidified their reputation for providing cutting-edge technology to military organizations worldwide.

In addition to the MQ-9A ER UAS, GA-ASI has previously supplied the USMC with MQ-9A Reaper Block 5 drones, further cementing their collaboration in advancing unmanned aviation capabilities. The successful deployment of these aircraft in training exercises at Twentynine Palms, California, underscores the seamless integration of GA-ASI’s systems into the USMC’s operational framework.

As the USMC continues to adapt to evolving threats and modernize its capabilities, the delivery of the first MQ-9A ER UAS represents a significant step forward. This state-of-the-art unmanned aircraft will surely enhance the USMC’s effectiveness and efficiency in operations across various mission domains.

Importance of Defense Contractors and Military Organizations

The partnership between GA-ASI and the USMC highlights the importance of ongoing collaboration between defense contractors and military organizations. By harnessing the expertise of industry leaders and leveraging advanced technologies, such as the MQ-9A ER UAS, the USMC can maintain its readiness and effectiveness in today’s rapidly changing global security landscape.

In conclusion, the delivery of the first MQ-9A ER UAS to the USMC marks a significant milestone in their collaboration with GA-ASI. This cutting-edge unmanned aircraft system enhances the USMC’s surveillance capabilities, providing extended endurance and advanced sensor capabilities for effective mission execution. As the USMC embraces the future of unmanned aviation, this delivery paves the way for further advancements and achievements in meeting their evolving operational requirements.

The MQ-9A ER UAS plays a crucial role in enhancing the USMC’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. Its extended endurance and advanced sensor capabilities enable the collection of real-time data and enhance situational awareness, empowering commanders to make informed decisions in dynamic operational environments. With its robustness, dependability, and adherence to manned aircraft reliability standards, the MQ-9A ER UAS ensures operational safety and effectiveness.

GA-ASI’s partnership with the USMC goes beyond the delivery of the MQ-9A ER UAS. Previous deliveries of MQ-9A Reaper Block 5 drones and successful training exercises at Twentynine Palms, California, demonstrate the seamless integration of GA-ASI’s systems into the USMC’s operations. This collaboration highlights the effectiveness of combining industry-leading expertise with military requirements, resulting in cutting-edge technology and enhanced operational capabilities.

As the USMC continues to modernize its capabilities, the delivery of the first MQ-9A ER UAS represents a significant step forward in unmanned aviation systems. This advanced unmanned aircraft system will enable the USMC to conduct extended missions, gather critical intelligence, and execute targeted operations with precision and efficiency. It strengthens their operational readiness and positions them at the forefront of unmanned aviation capabilities.

The collaboration between GA-ASI, the USMC, and NAVAIR underscores the importance of ongoing partnerships between defense contractors and military organizations. By leveraging the expertise of industry leaders and harnessing advanced technologies, such as the MQ-9A ER UAS, the USMC can adapt to evolving threats and maintain its readiness in an ever-changing global security landscape.

In summary, the delivery of the MQ-9A ER UAS to the USMC marks a significant milestone in their collaboration with GA-ASI. This cutting-edge unmanned aircraft system enhances the USMC’s surveillance capabilities, providing extended endurance, advanced sensor capabilities, and operational flexibility. The partnership between GA-ASI and the USMC showcases the successful integration of industry expertise and military requirements, driving advancements in unmanned aviation and supporting the USMC’s mission success.