General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. has announced that its Predator-series family of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), encompassing Predator, Predator B, Gray Eagle, and Avenger lines, has achieved a historic industry milestone: five million flight hours. The milestone was achieved on April 4, with 360,311 total missions completed and more than 90 percent of all missions flown in combat. Continue reading
Category Archives: Military UAS
AeroVironment Demos Puma-Switchblade Automated Sensor-to-Shooter Capability to Counter Swarm Attacks
AeroVironment, Inc. has announced the successful maritime demonstration of a Puma–Switchblade automated sensor-to-shooter (S2S) capability from a US Navy Coastal Riverine Craft for increased mission autonomy to counter threats. Continue reading
Germany to Buy MQ-4C Triton Systems for $2.5B
US State Department officials approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Germany of MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for an estimated cost of $2.5 billion. Continue reading
Avenger ER Sets New 23.4 Hour Endurance Record
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. has set a new endurance record with its Avenger Extended Range (ER) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). On January 24-25, the next-generation Avenger ER flew 23.4 continuous hours in a representative Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) configuration while carrying out a simulated reconnaissance mission. Continue reading
UK $500M MQ-9 Support Extension Approved
The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Kingdom of defense articles and services for continued follow-on support to the MQ-9 Reaper program for an estimated cost of $500 million. Continue reading
Insitu Gets $11M Blackjack Contract for Poland
Poland has acquired the Insitu RQ-21A Blackjack small tactical unmanned aircraft system (STUAS). A USD 11.4 million Foreign Military Sale (FMS) contract for one system was awarded to the Boeing subsidiary by the US Department of Defense (DoD) on 30 March. Continue reading
Italy to Order 20 Piaggio Hammerhead UAS
Italy’s Ministry of Defence last month sent an acquisition request to Parliament’s defense commission for 20 Piaggio Aerospace P.2HH drones, costing a total of €766 million (U.S. $951 million). Continue reading
UK Protector Receives Additional $80M Funding
The United Kingdom’s General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) Protector unmanned aircraft system has received a further injection of design, development, and integration funding. Continue reading







