Saab’s LoyalEye airborne early warning (AEW) radar integrated with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI)’s MQ-9B SkyGuradian drone.
Saab and General Atomic’s Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) successfully conducted a flight test of an unmanned airborne early warning (U-AEW) capability integrating Saab’s LoyalEye radar with GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian remotely piloted aircraft.
The test took place at GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon Flight Operations Facility in Southern California. The test validated the integrated system’s ability to detect, track, and classify airborne targets from an unmanned platform. The flight test was conducted earlier in October 2026. This was part of an ongoing evaluation programme that began with the system’s maiden flight in May 2026.
During the demonstration, the MQ-9B simultaneously tracked multiple airborne and maritime targets at long ranges. The targets included multiple instrumented red fighter jets and commercial aircraft. The test demonstrated the integrated system’s ability to monitor different types of airborne traffic, including potential threats and non-threatening aircraft.
The ability to detect, track, and classify targets is central to the radar’s airborne early warning role. According to Saab, the LoyalEye-equipped MQ-9B can operate independently or alongside manned airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platforms. The unmanned airborne early warning capability is intended to extend surveillance range and increase situational awareness. The MQ-9B can be deployed in contested environments, potentially reducing the exposure of manned aircraft.
The system is designed to provide additional operational flexibility and persistence alongside existing AEW&C solutions.
GA-ASI president David R. Alexander said the flight test was one of the company’s most anticipated demonstrations. He also highlighted the strong international customer interest in airborne early warning capabilities for the MQ-9B. His statement indicates commercial and defence-market interest in adapting long-endurance unmanned aircraft for airborne surveillance roles.
