MQ-9B uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) could soon carry long-range strike weapons, according to drone manufacturer General Atomics.
As per a GA-ASI statement, work has begun to look at integrating a number of extended-range missiles and munitions onto the platform. It said weapons being considered included Lockheed Martin’s Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASM) and Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), as well as the Kongsberg/Raytheon Joint Strike Missile (JSM).
The company revealed it plans to have MQ-9B drones flying with at least one of these missiles during the course of 2026.
GA-ASI President David R. Alexander commented: “We want to continue to build value in the aircraft by expanding into more missions. MQ-9B features extraordinary payload capacity, so it only makes sense to add to our mission sets with the ability to carry long-range weapons.”
The drone variants, also known as SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian, were developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) for the American armed forces and are currently in use by the U.S. Navy and a number of other NATO allies and friendly nations.
GA-ASI also has MQ-9B procurement contracts with Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, India, Japan, Poland, and Taiwan.
In the U.K. the MQ-9B programme is known as Protector and the drones are operated by the Royal Air Force; the U.S. Air Force also uses the drones via its Special Operations Command.
To date the MQ-9Bs have been chiefly used for ISR and ASW missions; they are 12m long, have a 24m wingspan, and have an operational ceiling of 40,000 ft.
They are capable of flying at up to 240mph and have a maximum flight time of over 40 hours, or a potential maximum payload of over two tonnes, depending on mission requirements.
- You can read more details on the General Atomics website