The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for the first time approved a point-to-point domestic flight of an unmanned aircraft that utilized the UK’s airways structure when General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

In a flight that originated from its Flight Test and Training Center (FTTC) near Grand Forks, N.D., General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) flew a company-owned MQ-9A “Big Wing” configured Unmanned Aircraft System north through Canadian airspace past the 78th parallel.

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that it has been approved as an Alteration Installation Team (AIT), a qualification that enables the Navy to contract with GA-EMS subject-matter experts capable of independently performing alterations and system installations onboard U.S. Navy ships...

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that it will partner with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC) to develop advanced weapon sensors for weapons in the Anti-Access and Area Denial (A2AD) environments.

Dr. Siye Ding, a collaborating researcher at General Atomics (GA), has been selected to receive the 2021 Young Researcher (Under 40) Award by the Association of Asia Pacific Physical Societies – Division of Plasma Physics (AAPPS-DPP) in the Magnetic Fusion Plasma category.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) continues to advance new levels of autonomous control for unmanned aircraft, successfully completing an airborne Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) demonstration on Aug. 25, 2021 pairing a company-owned MQ-20 Avenger with a modified King Air 200 as a surrogate for 4th- and 5th-generation tactical fighters.

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) successfully performed as designed as the ship underwent Full Ship Shock Trials (FSST) off the Eastern seaboard during the months of June, July and August 2021.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) flew a company-owned, MQ-9B SeaGuardian® Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) today from RAF Waddington across the North Sea to Leeuwarden Air Base in the Netherlands, completing a two-day series of flights between the two airspaces.

The DIII-D National Fusion Facility has inaugurated an innovative system that significantly improves its ability to create and sustain the physics conditions necessary for future fusion power plants.

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that it has expanded its space systems infrastructure with the addition of a 7,500 ft² Class 10,000 / ISO 7 cleanroom facility in San Diego, CA that will enable high-volume Optical Communication Terminal (OCT) production. 

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that it has been awarded a design contract from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) to develop a concept for integrating a unique GA-EMS motor and next generation power system into a Large Displacement Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (LDUUV).

Spacecraft have long used heat shields for protection during entry into planetary atmospheres. Future missions to the outer solar system will need more sophisticated materials than currently exist.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), the world’s leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, secured nine prime positions on the new General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Systems Integration Management Center (FEDSIM) ASTRO – a multiple award, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle geared towards the needs of the Department of Defense and the U.S. military.

For the first time ever, over the high desert of southern California on July 2, 2021, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) used an Avenger® Unmanned Aircraft System equipped with a Lockheed Martin Legion Pod® to autonomously track and follow targets of interest.

General Atomics (GA) today marked the successful completion and shipment of the first module of the ITER Central Solenoid, the world’s most powerful pulsed superconducting magnet, with a celebration at the firm’s Magnet Technologies Center (MTC) in Poway, California.

Prof. Paz-Soldan recognized by the American Physical Society for his research in the field of Plasma Physics

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today the launch of its next generation Full Spectrum Imaging System (FSIS) at the International Association of Identification (IAI) conference being held August 2-7 in Nashville, TN. 

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has exercised the clause in its contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI) to manufacture and deliver 13 additional Protector RG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) that had previously been identified as options.

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that it continues on-time delivery of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) for installation on the future Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers USS John F Kennedy (CVN 79) and USS Enterprise (CVN 80).

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) announced today the completion of the first MQ-9A Block 5 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) and Ground Control Station (GCS) for the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF).

GA-EMS announced today that, in partnership with the Space Development Agency (SDA), its Laser Interconnect and Networking Communications System (LINCS) satellites were successfully launched on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-2 mission from the Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, FL.

After a decade of design and fabrication, General Atomics is ready to ship the first module of the Central Solenoid, the world’s most powerful magnet.

General Atomics (GA) announced today the acquisition of Synopta GmbH. Synopta is a leader in the development and production of complex opto-electronic instrumentation for space and terrestrial applications. 

A key challenge for fusion power plants is finding a way to generate high fusion power while protecting the walls of the magnetic vessel from the intense heat and particle flow created by fusion reactions.

On May 13, 2021, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) completed initial flight tests of a new brushless generator system on a company-owned Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) at Yuma Proving Grounds, Ariz.

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that its Laser Interconnect and Networking Communication System (LINCS) satellites have arrived at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, FL to prepare for launch.

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that it was awarded a contract by the Space Development Agency to demonstrate space-to-air optical communication using GA-EMS’ Laser Interconnect and Networking Communication System (LINCS) and a General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that it has successfully conducted a free space interconnect demonstration ground test of its Laser Interconnect and Networking Communication System (LINCS) spacecraft.

The Italian Air Force has partnered with the U.S. Government and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to provide a mid-life update to its fleet of MQ-9 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) and Ground Control Stations (GCS) as part of a Foreign Military Sales agreement.

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) system aboard the USS Gerald R.

On April 23, 2021, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) demonstrated enhanced situational awareness and targeting capability for ground forces during a company-funded technology demonstration at Yuma Proving Grounds, Ariz.

Under a six-month base contract period, GA-EMS will deploy MATCHBOX systems with Febrile and Respiratory assay panel cartridges for use at Naval Medical Research Units and partner sites located in Peru and Cambodia.

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that it has opened an office in Patuxent River, MD to serve as a customer engagement center supporting maritime and naval aviation programs and business growth initiatives in the region.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is once again inviting Belgian industry to become part of the development of MQ-9B SkyGuardian® Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) through Blue Magic Belgium (BMB).

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that it has completed the Initial Design Review (IDR) of the space vehicle and ground segment for the United States Space Force (USSF) Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) Electro-Optical Infrared (EO/IR) Weather System (EWS) satellite program. 

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) participated in U.S. Pacific Fleet’s (PACFLT) Unmanned Integrated Battle Problem ‘21 (UxS IBP 21), April 21-26, 2021.

The U.S. Air Force, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and L3Harris Technologies have collaborated to further expand the mission capabilities of the U.S. Air Force’s versatile MQ-9 Reaper^® Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded GA-EMS a contract to support the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) program.

GA-EMS announced today that Dr. Christina Back, vice president of Nuclear Technologies and Materials (NTM) at GA-EMS, co-chaired a task force commissioned by the American Nuclear Society (ANS) on Public Investment in Nuclear Research and Development (R&D).

“The inclusion of CCRi within the GA group will accelerate the delivery of actionable intelligence through the dynamic conversion of data to knowledge.” said Neal Blue, CEO, President and Chairman of General Atomics.

Scientists at the DIII-D National Fusion Facility have released a new design for a compact fusion reactor that can generate electricity and help define the technology necessary for commercial fusion power.

“This landmark event demonstrates the inherent value of our Gray Eagle systems for the warfighter,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander.

GA-EMS announced today that it is providing cognizant system engineering and operations optimization support to Parsons Corporation for the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site Salt Waste Processing Facility in Aiken, SC.

“This is a very interesting and exciting opportunity, and we look forward to working closely with DOE and our partners to bring this important project into an operational reality,” said Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS.

GA ASI and the U.S. Army conducted the first production Acceptance Test Procedure (ATP) flights of a Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) Unmanned Aircraft System using Scalable Command & Control (SC2) software developed by GA-ASI and installed on an Army-owned laptop computer.

GA-ASI announced that its company-owned Avenger ER achieved a company milestone as it received an FAA-issued Experimental Certificate (EC) enabling the “Extended Range” Avenger to perform expanded operations in the U.S. National Airspace System.

“DIII-D is one of the most important fusion devices in the world, so it’s a bit remarkable that we’ve been able to continue our work using a free application originally created for video-gamers,” said David Schissel, Director of Computer Systems and Science at GG. “Combining it with some other customized tools has greatly expanded our capabilities in remote collaboration.”

GA-EMS announced today that it has signed a contract with Rocket Lab to launch the GA-EMS developed Orbital Test Bed (OTB) satellite carrying the Argos-4 Advanced Data Collection System (A-DCS) hosted payload.

“The Centerline Avionics Bay was purpose-built to provide additional volume, platform infrastructure, and cooling provisions for integrating High Performance Computing (HPC) systems on MQ-9 Block 1 and Block 5 RPA,” said GA-ASI Vice President of Strategic Development J.R. Reid.

The NASEM report, Bringing Fusion to the U.S. Grid, describes the scientific and technical innovations that must be developed if fusion is to play a role in the timely transition to a low-carbon economy by 2050.

“We are pleased to expand this relationship with composite structures manufactured in the UK. This will mean that not only the RAF’s Protector will have UK-manufactured tails, but the global MQ-9B fleet will also benefit from tails manufactured in the UK,”  said Tommy Dunehew, vice president of International Strategic Development for GA-ASI.

GA-EMS announced today that it has awarded a contract to Firefly Aerospace Inc. to launch a GA-EMS developed Orbital Test Bed (OTB) satellite carrying NASA’s Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols (MAIA) instrument.

SkyGuardian^® Global Support Solutions (SGSS) provides operators with reduced lifecycle costs and low risk by providing a guaranteed full-sustainment solution that allows for maximum system availability, commonality, and access to crew training at an affordable cost-per-flight-hour.

The Central Solenoid will play a critical role in ITER’s mission to establish fusion as a practical, safe and nearly inexhaustible source of clean, abundant and carbon-free electricity.

GA‑ASI announces its plan to take a company-owned SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft to the United Kingdom later this year to undertake a series of operational capability demonstrations for NATO allies, including the Netherlands.

Tiger Innovations, Inc.’s cutting-edge advancements in satellite systems and extensive experience in custom hardware and software implementation complement GA-EMS’ portfolio of advanced space systems and technologies.

During the testing, the MQ-9 was able to successfully track Radio Frequency (RF) and Infrared (IR) missile threats, deploy countermeasures, and provide real-time threat awareness and protection in a simulated contested environment.

“Our advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance solutions can aid the Japan Coast Guard to perform their duties effectively in alignment with Japan’s maritime security priorities,” said Barbara Borgonovi, vice president of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Systems for RI&S.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) recently completed development and test of the world’s first self-contained Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability for an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS).

GA-ASI is working with Leonardo to integrate the Leonardo Seaspray 7500E V2 radar into the centerline radar pod of its MQ-9B SeaGuardian. The integration of this market-leading radar will enable persistent maritime ISR and is available to our international customer base.

In a recent flight test, GA-ASI integrated a Lockheed Martin Legion Pod^® onto an Avenger Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) demonstrating enhanced autonomous sensing capabilities for an unmanned aircraft.

GA-EMS announced today that it has been selected for the Advanced Reactor Concepts-20 (ARC-20) program, one of three programs supported under  the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Reactor Demonstration (ARD) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA).

GA-ASI completed the first Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) High Frequency (HF) Command and Control (C2) demonstration for an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The HF C2 capability does not require a Satellite Communications (SATCOM) link and is capable of providing BLOS connectivity up to 8,000 miles, depending on transmit power and link geometry.

“This is a critical next step toward the goal of integrating guided projectiles for railgun technologies into the air and missile defense command network, and closing the fire control loop to enable precision engagement and intercept of airborne targets,” stated Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS.

GA-ASI has been selected by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) to support the Skyborg Vanguard Program. Skyborg will become the foundation of Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) autonomous capabilities for a family of future USAF unmanned combat aerial vehicles.