Saab and General Atomics unveil new aerial surveillance system

Unmanned Airborne Surveillance Innovation Saab and General Atomics develop new unmanned aerial surveillance system

2025-06-23 Source: Saab 1 min Reading Time

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Saab has entered into a strategic partnership with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to jointly develop an Unmanned Airborne Early Warning (UAEW) system. The new solution is based on the MQ-9B platform from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.

Saab’s airborne early warning (AEW) capabilities integrated with General Atomics' MQ-9B platform form the basis of a new unmanned surveillance solution, offering continuous monitoring and improved situational awareness for defense applications.(Bild: Saab) — Saab’s airborne early warning (AEW) capabilities integrated with General Atomics' MQ-9B platform form the basis of a new unmanned surveillance solution, offering continuous monitoring and improved situational awareness for defense applications.
(Bild: Saab)

As part of the co-operation, Saab will contribute its many years of experience in airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems, while General Atomics will provide its leading technology in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles. The aim is to integrate Saab's AEW sensor technology into the unmanned MQ-9B system to provide an advanced, end-to-end surveillance capability. This will ensure seamless situational awareness through the continuous monitoring of defined areas of operation. "For customers looking to utilise the MQ-9B platform for their specific requirements, we offer an outstanding ability to detect and track elusive objects. This mid-altitude unmanned AEW solution combines the key strengths of both companies and has the potential to expand our existing AEW&C portfolio in a targeted manner. It represents another state-of-the-art option for airborne reconnaissance and surveillance missions," says Carl-Johan Bergholm, Head of Surveillance at Saab.

The system complements Saab's existing portfolio of manned AEW&C platforms - including GlobalEye - and thus expands the range of possible applications. For example, AEW capabilities can be realised directly on warships or manned and unmanned systems can be flexibly combined to optimally exploit their respective strengths. Saab has decades of experience in developing and delivering AEW and AEW&C solutions for armed forces worldwide, including NATO and trusted international partners.

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