U.S. Admits ‘Over the Horizon’  Afghanistan Strike Killed Civilians

By Brian Everstine Sep 17, 2021
U.S. Central Command boss said Sept. 17 that the white Toyota Corolla targeted by the strike belonged to an aid worker who did not pose a threat to the U.S.-led evacuation at nearby Hamid Karzai International Airport.
AFA Air Space and Cyber Conference

MQ-9 Tests Communications Capability in the Arctic

By Tony Osborne Sep 13, 2021
General Atomics has completed a flight of one of its MQ-9 medium-altitude, long endurance uncrewed air systems over Canada’s High North.
Missile Defense & Weapons

First Netherlands Reaper Rolled Out 

By Tony Osborne Jul 08, 2021
Senior Dutch defense officials were present for a ceremony held at General Atomics’ Reaper production line in Poway, California on July 7 for the unveiling of the Block 5-model aircraft, the first of four systems being acquired for the Royal Netherlands Air Force. 
Aircraft & Propulsion

Military Aircraft Procurement Hit Hard In First Biden Budget 

By Steve Trimble May 28, 2021
The fiscal 2022 spending request forwarded to Congress on May 28 proposes fewer units of aircraft across all fleets, including fighters; mobility; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and rotorcraft.
Budget, Policy & Operations

New Bill Proposes Lengthy Review For UAE F-35 Deal

By Steve Trimble Apr 18, 2021
Two senators proposed a bill on April 16 to ensure sales of Lockheed Martin F-35s to Middle Eastern countries could not escape a full vetting process…
Defense and Space

MQ-Next Offers Path To Counter-Air Role For MQ-9 Replacement

By Steve Trimble Mar 08, 2021
Destroying enemy fighters has emerged as the initial focus of the U.S. Air Force's nearly year-old MQ-Next program, which seeks to field a replacement for the MQ-9 by the end of the decade.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

Podcast: The Evolution of the Reaper

By Jen DiMascio Feb 05, 2021
Since the MQ-9 caught on as a way for the U.S. to track insurgents during its so-called war on terrorism, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles has revolutionized warfare, but will its future hold?
Defense and Space

GA-ASI Announces Flight Test For Sparrowhawk

By Steve Trimble Sep 25, 2020
A picture released by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems shows the Sparrowhawk aircraft as a wing store on an MQ-9 Reaper UAS.
Aircraft & Propulsion

GA-ASI, Sener Partner on MQ-9 NATO Pod

By Tony Osborne Sep 02, 2020
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) and Spain’s Sener Aerospacial are developing an underwing pod that will enable European customers of the MQ-9 Reaper and SkyGuardian to fit sovereign sensors to the unmanned air system.
Aircraft & Propulsion

USAF Lays Out Plans To Replace MQ-9 Fleet In 2030

By Steve Trimble Jun 04, 2020
The U.S. Air Force is inviting industry to submit ideas to start replacing the MQ-9 unmanned aircraft system by 2030 with a next-generation, medium-altitude strike and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance UAS.
Aircraft & Propulsion

Germany Plans Paveway, Brimstone For EuroDrone

By Tony Osborne Jun 01, 2020
Germany is looking to arm its future fleet of EuroDrone unmanned aircraft systems with MBDA Brimstone air-to-ground missiles and Enhanced Paveway…
Aircraft & Propulsion

DOD Cuts Key Aircraft Programs For Border Wall

By Lee Hudson Feb 13, 2020
The nearly $4 billion in procurement reprogramming is taken from the U.S. Navy, Air Force, and National Guard.
Defense and Space