General Atomics News

Hype's General Atomics news feed offers a deep dive into the company's advancements in unmanned aircraft systems and remotely piloted vehicles. Stay abreast of their latest technological innovations, contract awards, and global operational deployments that continue to shape the future of unmanned aviation and surveillance.

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FlightGlobalRyan Finnerty

Aurora now sole designer in Pentagon heavy-lift seaplane effort

FlightGlobal reports: Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences is now the sole participant in a Pentagon effort to develop a heavy-lift amphibious transport, after a proposed design from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems was eliminated over schedule and technical concerns.

2024-05-15T23:16:32.694356-07:00
2024-05-10T10:21:44.660231-07:00

Aurora Advances in DARPA's Liberty Lifter Program with $8.3M Contract

DARPA selects Aurora Flight Sciences to progress with the heavy cargo seaplane design, sidelining General Atomics for not meeting project's stringent requirements.

2024-05-09T15:41:28.324025-07:00

AFSOC Advances Drone Integration with MQ-9 Swarm Control Tests

AFSOC's successful trials of a single airman managing multiple MQ-9s mark a significant step towards operationalizing drone swarms launched from Reapers.

2024-05-09T07:18:50.115298-07:00

GA-ASI and Shift5 Forge Cybersecurity Alliance for MQ-9A Reaper UAV

This strategic partnership aims to integrate Shift5's cyber anomaly detection and predictive maintenance technologies into the MQ-9A Reaper, enhancing operational security for SOCOM and AFSOC.

General Atomics is a defense and diversified technologies company, founded in 1955 as a Division of General Dynamics and acquired by the Blue family in 1986. GA and affiliated companies operate on five continents and include GA Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). GA-ASI produces a series of unmanned aircraft and provides electro-optical, radar, signals intelligence, and automated airborne surveillance systems. GA’s Electromagnetic Systems Division produces electro-magnetic aircraft launch and recovery systems for the US Navy, satellite surveillance, electro-magnetic rail gun, high power laser, hypervelocity projectile, and power conversion systems. GA is the principal private sector participant in thermonuclear fusion research through its internationally recognized DIII-D and inertial confinement programs for the US Department of Energy. GA developed the UCSD Supercomputer Center and has constructed more than 60 TRIGA nuclear research reactors in 24 countries. GA is a leader in development of next-generation nuclear fission and high-temperature materials technologies

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General Atomics News Timeline

2024-05-15T23:16:32.694356-07:002024-05-15T23:16:32.694356-07:00

Aurora Named Sole Designer for Pentagon Heavy-lift Seaplane

Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences will continue the Pentagon project alone after General Atomics Aeronautical Systems was removed due to schedule and technical issues.

2024-05-13T14:45:15.566795-07:002024-05-13T14:45:15.566795-07:00

GA-ASI Partners with USSOCOM for ABAD System Development

The collaboration aims to enhance battlefield awareness and defense capabilities, leveraging GA-ASI's expertise in unmanned aerial technologies.

2024-05-10T10:21:44.660231-07:002024-05-10T10:21:44.660231-07:00

Aurora Advances in DARPA's Liberty Lifter Program with $8.3M Contract

DARPA selects Aurora Flight Sciences to progress with the heavy cargo seaplane design, sidelining General Atomics for not meeting project's stringent requirements.

2024-05-09T15:41:28.324025-07:002024-05-09T15:41:28.324025-07:00

AFSOC Advances Drone Integration with MQ-9 Swarm Control Tests

AFSOC's successful trials of a single airman managing multiple MQ-9s mark a significant step towards operationalizing drone swarms launched from Reapers.

2024-05-09T07:18:50.115298-07:002024-05-09T07:18:50.115298-07:00

GA-ASI and Shift5 Forge Cybersecurity Alliance for MQ-9A Reaper UAV

This strategic partnership aims to integrate Shift5's cyber anomaly detection and predictive maintenance technologies into the MQ-9A Reaper, enhancing operational security for SOCOM and AFSOC.

2024-04-30T07:05:21.031161-07:002024-04-30T07:05:21.031161-07:00

USMC Hails Arrival of First MQ-9A ER UAS from GA-ASI

The U.S. Marine Corps and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. mark the delivery of the inaugural MQ-9A Extended Range Unmanned Aircraft System to VMUT-2, enhancing unmanned aerial capabilities.

2024-04-29T00:01:30.044994-07:002024-04-29T00:01:30.044994-07:00

US Army Awards General Atomics $53M for Gray Eagle Drone Support

The contract encompasses comprehensive logistics services for the Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft System, enhancing operational capabilities.

2024-04-26T14:28:17.643189-07:002024-04-26T14:28:17.643189-07:00

General Atomics Advances in Collaborative Combat Aircraft with XQ-67 Prototype

General Atomics' XQ-67 prototype takes flight, positioning the company as a formidable contender in the expanding Collaborative Combat Aircraft market.

2024-04-26T12:24:47.524744-07:002024-04-26T12:24:47.524744-07:00

GA-ASI's Mojave STOL MQ-9 Targets U.S. Army After Marine Corps Interest

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) shifts focus, proposing its Mojave STOL MQ-9 to the U.S. Army following initial engagement with the U.S. Marine Corps.

2024-04-26T11:56:00.145802-07:002024-04-26T11:56:00.145802-07:00

Series of U.S. MQ-9 Reaper Drone Losses Off Yemen Raises Security Concerns

The downing of three U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones, each valued at approximately $30 million, by suspected Houthi forces off Yemen's coast since November underscores escalating tensions in the region.

2024-04-25T16:33:58.677464-07:002024-04-25T16:33:58.677464-07:00

General Atomics Aims to Accelerate USAF CCA Program Implementation

Following the U.S. Air Force's selection of General Atomics and Anduril for the CCA program's design phase, General Atomics announces its intent to surpass the project timeline expectations.

2024-04-24T14:05:36.619761-07:002024-04-24T14:05:36.619761-07:00

Anduril and General Atomics Advance in Air Force's CCA Drone Prototyping Initiative

Following a competitive selection process, Anduril and General Atomics progress to prototype development in the Air Force's latest CCA drone initiative, setting a precedent for future combat support.

2024-04-23T14:23:03.121787-07:002024-04-23T14:23:03.121787-07:00

Mojave UAS Marks New Ground in Unmanned Firepower with Yuma Desert Demonstration

On April 13, 2024, GA-ASI's Mojave UAS showcased its advanced strafing and live-fire capabilities against static targets in the Yuma Desert, earmarking significant progress in unmanned military technology.

2024-04-19T10:30:29.136721-07:002024-04-19T10:30:29.136721-07:00

General Atomics Proposes New Gray Eagle Variant for Armed Scout Role

At the Army Aviation Association of America conference in Denver, General Atomics unveils the Mojave demonstrator, pitching an advanced Gray Eagle model for the armed scout mission.

2024-04-18T15:56:37.661241-07:002024-04-18T15:56:37.661241-07:00

Hughes Nets Contract for Gray Eagle 25M UAS Modems from General Atomics

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has selected Hughes Network Systems to supply ruggedized modems for the MQ-1C Gray Eagle 25M, enhancing the UAS's communication capabilities.

2024-04-14T23:25:37.686673-07:002024-04-14T23:25:37.686673-07:00

USAF Awards General Atomics $174M for MQ-9A Drone Enhancements

General Atomics secures a significant $174 million contract with the USAF to upgrade MQ-9A Reaper drones, focusing on enhanced capabilities and performance.

2024-04-11T04:08:20.808973-07:002024-04-11T04:08:20.808973-07:00

Beijing Implements Sanctions on General Atomics and General Dynamics Over Taiwan Arms Sales

China announces asset freezes and entry bans on General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems, escalating tensions over US arms sales to Taiwan.

2024-04-09T10:38:03.624708-07:002024-04-09T10:38:03.624708-07:00

Hughes to Supply Ruggedized Modems for GA-ASI's MQ-1C Gray Eagles

Hughes Network Systems is set to provide ruggedized modems for General Atomics Aeronautical Systems' MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAVs, under a new production contract.

2024-04-01T23:57:43.398816-07:002024-04-01T23:57:43.398816-07:00

General Atomics Secures $561M Contract for Gray Eagle UAS Support with US Army

This sizable contract underscores General Atomics' continued role in providing critical technical services for the Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft System, pivotal for US Army operations.

2024-03-26T14:29:45.711142-07:002024-03-26T14:29:45.711142-07:00

General Atomics Predicts Historic Impact from Collaborative Combat Aircraft Initiative

Dave Alexander of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems underscored the significance of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), forecasting it to spearhead a pivotal shift in defense dynamics.

2024-03-26T12:37:09.258114-07:002024-03-26T12:37:09.258114-07:00

General Atomics Secures $54M Deal for UK MQ-9 Reaper Support

The U.S. Department of Defense has finalized a contract with General Atomics, dedicating $54 million to the maintenance and support of the British MQ-9 Reaper fleet.

2024-03-26T10:09:57.986282-07:002024-03-26T10:09:57.986282-07:00

RNLAF Enhances MQ-9A Fleet with GA-ASI Upgrades

The Royal Netherlands Air Force partners with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) for significant enhancements to its MQ-9A Remotely Piloted Aircraft fleet, aiming for advanced capabilities.

2024-03-25T07:48:27.402534-07:002024-03-25T07:48:27.402534-07:00

MQ-9B SeaGuardian Achieves Milestone in Sonobuoy Dispensing Tests

In collaboration with NAVAIR, General Atomics successfully executed test flights for the MQ-9B SeaGuardian, focusing on its capability to deploy sonobuoys, enhancing maritime surveillance operations.

2024-03-21T22:35:36.437009-07:002024-03-21T22:35:36.437009-07:00

GA-ASI Enhances Predator Mission Trainer with Advanced Software

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has significantly upgraded its Predator Mission Trainer at the FTTC in Grand Forks, North Dakota, improving operational capabilities for international clientele.

2024-03-20T13:11:23.774290-07:002024-03-20T13:11:23.774290-07:00

General Atomics Advances Unmanned Anti-Submarine Warfare with MQ-9B SeaGuardian Tests

In a landmark effort on February 27, 2024, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) showcased a significant advancement in unmanned anti-submarine warfare technology by testing its Sonobuoy Dispensing System (SDS) with the MQ-9B SeaGuardian.

2024-03-15T11:41:17.046074-07:002024-03-15T11:41:17.046074-07:00

GA-ATS Completes Advanced Livery for Bombardier Global 7500

In a remarkable showcase of artisan skill, GA-ATS has finalized a bespoke livery for the Bombardier Global 7500, transitioning from a basic aluminum surface to vibrant colors at EDMO.

2024-03-14T22:44:09.965045-07:002024-03-14T22:44:09.965045-07:00

Taiwan Enhances Surveillance Capabilities with US-Made MQ-9B SkyGuardian Drones

Taiwan secures a deal for four MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones to strengthen its surveillance, with the U.S. authorizing the sale aimed at bolstering reconnaissance capabilities.

2024-02-29T13:45:49.377750-08:002024-02-29T13:45:49.377750-08:00

US Air Force Advances with XQ-67A Drone Test Flights

General Atomics' XQ-67A drone has completed a series of test flights, marking progress in scalable and iterative drone concepts for future Air Force applications.

2024-02-28T00:50:42.580372-08:002024-02-28T00:50:42.580372-08:00

General Atomics Secures $31M Deal for Navy Electronic Warfare Pods

General Atomics has been awarded a $31 million contract by the US Navy to develop advanced electronic warfare pods, marking a significant investment in unmanned aircraft systems capabilities.

2024-02-26T01:43:17.162433-08:002024-02-26T01:43:17.162433-08:00

General Atomics Unveils UAV In-Flight Recovery Patent

General Atomics secures a patent for a groundbreaking in-flight recovery system aimed at enhancing UAV retrieval operations.

2024-02-22T04:18:49.663253-08:002024-02-22T04:18:49.663253-08:00

GA-ASI Expands UAV Capabilities Post-FARA Cancellation

Following the US Army's diversion of FARA helicopter funds, GA-ASI focuses on enhancing UAV's attack and reconnaissance applications.

2024-02-21T02:29:01.264327-08:002024-02-21T02:29:01.264327-08:00

General Atomics Eyes Japanese Defense Market Expansion

In a significant business initiative, General Atomics forges a partnership with Tokyo to delve into both civilian and defense sectors, eyeing sales of the MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones.