GA-ASI Flies New Multi-Use NATO Pod on MQ-9
Dec 20, 2022
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) flew the new NATO Pod for the first time on Nov. 23, 2022. The NATO Pod is a joint development between GA-ASI and Sener Aeroespacial of Spain. The NATO Pod is built by Sener Aeroespacial in Europe to meet NATO airworthiness standards, while increasing configuration and payload options for MQ-9A and MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft produced by GA-ASI. The new product is designed for international customers that are interested in rapidly integrating sovereign payload capabilities to achieve specific mission objectives.
The test flight was performed at the Yuma Proving Grounds using a GA-ASI owned MQ-9A aircraft.
NATO Pod development was driven by GA-ASI's desire to provide customers with a customizable, multi-use pod for carriage of sovereign, cross-domain Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) sensors for MQ-9A and MQ-9B RPA systems. GA-ASI is working with Sener and other European suppliers to integrate their sensor capabilities within this new pod. The NATO Pod is a flexible, scalable, certifiable enclosure with the structural features to host wide-ranging mission systems. The pod meets DEF STAN and STANAG certification standards for airworthiness, including lightning protection and bird impact.
The NATO Pod interfaces with common MQ-9 aircraft power and navigation interfaces, including the platform datalink connection to the Ground Control Station (GCS). Customer system integration is based on using a common set of interfaces to the aircraft and GCS systems.
"This is a truly momentous product design and implementation effort," said GA-ASI Vice President of Mission Payloads and Exploitation, Satish Krishnan. "We've worked closely with Sener to meet requirements and keep our combined teams in sync to achieve this great outcome. Our successful test flight allows us to begin marketing this new capability to our international partner nations as a way to rapidly add sovereign payload capability."
Rafael Orbe, Defence General Director at Sener Aeroespacial, said: "This first flight is the fruit of a long collaboration between GA-ASI and Sener and we are proud to have contributed to the success of the project. We look forward to continuing the good work together, which we are sure will bring us more successes in the future."
This industrial cooperation effort introduces European manufacturing of GA-ASI designed mission hardware and opens the door to customer-specified mission payloads - including technologies that are built outside the U.S. - for deployment on MQ-9A and MQ-9B. The NATO Pod that was tested featured a payload built by Arpège S.A.S. France.
MQ-9As are operated by a number of European countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. GA-ASI's newer MQ-9B variant has been acquired by the UK and Belgium. Recently Poland announced that it will lease MQ-9A.
About GA-ASI
General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. With more than seven million flight hours, GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent flight that enables situational awareness and rapid strike. The company also produces a variety of ground control stations and sensor control/image analysis software, offers pilot training and support services, and develops meta-material antennas. For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com.
Avenger, Lynx, Predator, SeaGuardian and SkyGuardian are registered trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
About Sener Aeroespacial
Sener Aeroespacial has been a leading supplier of high-performance aerospace systems for Space, Defense and Science for more than 50 years, developing its own high added-value technology products. Sener Aeroespacial is a leader in guidance, navigation and control systems, actuation and orientation systems, and communications, COMINT, optics, ATC and avionics systems. It is involved in the main programs of the ESA and NASA space agencies. Sener Aeroespacial is part of the SATNUS consortium, which leads the Spanish contingent of Remote Operators of the FCAS program. Sener Aeroespacial is also part of the recently created SMS consortium.
Sener Aeroespacial has production centers in Catalonia, the Community of Madrid and the Basque Country. It is a company of the Sener engineering and technology group, founded in 1956, which employs 2,700 professionals on four continents.
Contact Information:
GA-ASI Media Relations
GA-ASI Media Relations
[email protected]
+1 (858) 524-8101
Sharyn Nerenberg
Media Contact, Hughes Network Systems
[email protected]
(301) 428-7124
Susan Ong
External Communications, SES
[email protected]
+352 710 725 500
Press Release Service by Newswire.com
Original Source: GA-ASI Flies New Multi-Use NATO Pod on MQ-9
More News
BizDataDive: Why does a new drug require joint R&D?
In this episode, we explore why drug development knows no borders.
Explainer: Where do China-US economic and trade ties stand?
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng is leading a delegation to the United States for economic and trade consultations with the US side from September 19 to 23.
Billionaire Man United owner loses moral high ground after tax exile, Labour chair says
The billionaire businessman told the BBC he has lost confidence in the UK due to a combination of high taxes and high immigration.
US debt, physical constraints, and the restructuring of global capital
Global monetary tightening, energy supply disruptions and trade policy changes are creating structural cost pressures and capital reallocations across the global economy. These pressures are accelerating shifts toward local-currency financing, alternative debt markets and industrial transformation, particularly across emerging economies.
What to Do If You’re Laid Off and Too Young for Medicare
At best, older, laid-off workers will struggle to find health insurance that bridges the years before they qualify for Medicare at age 65.
Chiltern Railways renationalised after 30 years
It joins Great British Railways as part of government plans to save money and improve services.
China‑ASEAN economic cooperation benefits the world
Closer economic integration between China and ASEAN is unlocking greater growth potential. The ongoing upgrading of the China‑ASEAN free‑trade framework will further boost trade, bringing benefits to the world, according to Rosdiana Murtiningsih, Indonesia's alternate permanent representative to the FAO.
Family shares hidden cost of cancer care
Maya, 13, from Hythe in Kent, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when she was three.
In China, A.I. Is Moving Forward While the Economy Lags Behind
As Xi Jinping arrives in the United States this week for a state visit, China’s advances in artificial intelligence will be in the air. Less discussed: China’s economy in its worst shape in decades.
Rivian C.E.O. RJ Scaringe Has Some Ideas for How to Make More Cars in America
RJ Scaringe thinks it will take robots, tariffs and diplomacy to maintain a manufacturing base in the United States.
Mistakes? We’ve Made a Few
For most of its life, The New York Times has tried to correct its errors. These efforts have not always been perfect.
As the Rich Buy Bigger Boats, Private Equity Is Investing in the Booming Marina Business
The private equity firm Blackstone now owns more marinas than anyone in the world.
YOUR NEWS, OUR NETWORK.
Do you have Great News you want to tell the world?
Be it updates about your business or your community, you can make sure that it’s heard by submitting your story to our network reaching hundreds of news sites across 6 verticals.