The Swedish company Saab and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) from the USA have successfully completed the maiden flight of the world’s first unmanned Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft. This significant milestone was achieved by integrating Saab’s LoyalEye radar sensor with GA-ASI’s MQ-9B unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Announced in 2025, the partnership aims to enhance AEW surveillance capabilities in support of critical decision-making. Once operational, the system is expected to provide persistent and cost-effective air surveillance in regions where such coverage is currently unavailable.
On 19 May, Saab’s AEW sensor, known as LoyalEye, successfully completed its validation flight aboard a General Atomics MQ-9B UAV at GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon facility in Southern California. This milestone marks the start of a test and evaluation phase that will last several months and culminate in a full capability demonstration expected to take place later this year.
Saab is a global leader in airborne early warning systems and is renowned for its manned AEW&C solution, the GlobalEye. GA-ASI brings advanced unmanned aircraft systems and extensive operational experience to the partnership. The two companies are now working together to develop an unmanned AEW solution designed to provide unparalleled air surveillance capabilities.
“LoyalEye on the MQ-9B offers critical airborne sensing, supporting extended persistence and operational reach. As a complement to manned assets, it aims to enhance situational awareness and, in combination, enable greater operational reach and flexibility”, said Carl Johan Bergholm, Head of Saab’s Business AreaSurveillance. He further noted: “This partnership integrates MQ-9B with LoyalEye, equipping operators with vital information for critical decision-making. LoyalEye extends the capabilities of manned systems, and it offers persistent surveillance and greater operational flexibility. This enhances situational awareness and boosts mission success,”
“AEW for MQ-9B will offer critical aloft sensing to defend against tactical air munitions, guided missiles, drones, fighter and bomber aircraft, and other threats,” added GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “Operational availability for a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS is the highest of any military aircraft, and as an unmanned platform, its aircrews are not put into harm’s way.”
The MQ-9B family includes the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian variants, as well as the Protector aircraft operated by the United Kingdom. There is also an MQ-9B STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) configuration currently under development for use aboard naval aircraft carriers.
The joint Airborne Early Warning offering from Saab and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), will support a wide range of applications, including early detection and warning, long-range detection and tracking, and simultaneous tracking of multiple targets. The system is designed for flexible integration and operation beyond the line of sight via satellite communications (SATCOM).
Cover photo: GA-ASI’s MQ-9B with Saab’s LoyalEye AEW Pods ©Saab
The Saab and GA-ASI companies press materials were used.
