Australia has selected the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9B SkyGuardian unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to fulfil its requirement for an armed medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Defence Minister Linda Reynolds announced on 28 November.
The next phase will focus on developing the AUD1.3 billion (USD884 million) MQ-9B acquisition proposal under Project Air 7003, which is scheduled for government consideration in 2021-22, the minister said.
“Cutting-edge technology of this kind, with advanced sensors and systems, would complement advanced aircraft such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and ensure that the ADF [Australian Defence Force] maintains a state-of-the-art capability,” she commented.
Source: Jane’s 360