Updates from General Atomics
Testing of ATTS at RIMPAC
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) participated in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise ( RIMPAC) to conduct demonstrations and testing of the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Airborne Tracking and Targeting System (ATTS). The ATTS is integrated with an MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft to generate precision tracks and imagery of targets of interest. The system was employed throughout the RIMPAC exercises conducted near the Hawaiian Islands. Held every two years, RIMPAC is the world’s largest multinational maritime warfare exercise. The RIMPAC 2018 Exercise involved 25 nations, 46 ships, approximately 200 aircraft, five submarines, and 25,000 personnel.
Auto-Land of MQ-9 Block 5 RPA
The USAF has completed the first-ever automated landing of an MQ-9 Block 5 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), followed by the first auto-takeoff. The new Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability (ATLC) was developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to enhance mission capability. By automating the takeoff and landing of the RPA, ATLC increases the safety and efficiency of air crews. The auto launch and recovery during these critical phases of RPA flight enlarges the operational envelope for cross wind operations as well as divert field landing.
French MQ-9 Reapers operated on Bastille Day
The French Air Force operated two of its MQ-9 Reapers simultaneously in support of France’s Bastille Day events, one over Paris and the second over Cognac. The French Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) assisted French authorities by providing airborne surveillance during the national celebration, benefitting from permanent corridor systems connecting all military-dedicated airspace, which enabled the RPA to access restricted areas created over Paris for the Bastille Day celebrations. This MQ-9 Reaper flew over a populated area of seven million people, alongside numerous other military aircraft participating in the flypast. Last year, France received its second MQ-9 Reaper system, consisting of three aircraft and a ground control station ( GCS). Two French MQ-9s are based in Cognac Châteaubernard Air Base, where they perform daily training or ISR support to interministerial missions in French airspace. The 1/33 Belfort RPA squadron currently operates six Reaper RPAs to provide intelligence and support capabilities for Operation Barkhane and the Special Forces.
Testing of arresting Hook and HDD for MQ-25
General Atomics have concluded performance testing of the arresting hook Hold Down Damper (HDD) for its proposed MQ- 25 unmanned aerial refueling aircraft for the US Navy. GA-ASI worked in collaboration with a team from GKN Aerospace’s Fokker business unit in Helmond, Netherlands, who supply arresting hooks for the GA-ASI. The test simulated dynamic conditions providing performance characteristics of the HDD, such as damping, spring rate and pressure control functionality.
Second MQ-9B
General Atomics has carried out flight of its second MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft, conducted at Laguna Army Airfield in Yuma Proving Grounds. The second MQ- 9B SkyGuardian gives the GA-ASI programme team another aircraft to perform important development testing and demonstrations. New capabilities that were not available when the first prototype was completed in 2016, such as lightning protection, an upgraded avionics and software suite and a de-icing system, have been included as part of MQ-9B’s roadmap to become the first RPA certified to fly in civil airspace. The upcoming test schedule for YBC02 includes further flight envelope expansion testing, also testing of the Certified Redundant Control Module, flight controller updates, and testing of the Certifiable Ground Control Station (C-GCS).