Saab and GA-ASI Achieve First Flight of Unmanned Airborne Early Warning System

A major milestone in modern military aviation has been achieved with the successful first flight of what is being described as the world’s first unmanned Airborne Early Warning (AEW) solution. Swedish defence giant Saab and American unmanned aircraft specialist General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. have successfully integrated Saab’s LoyalEye airborne radar system onto the MQ-9B unmanned aircraft platform.

The landmark flight took place on 19 May at GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon test facility in Southern California and marks the beginning of an extensive flight evaluation programme that will continue over the coming months. A full operational capability demonstration is expected later this year.

The collaboration between Saab and GA-ASI, first announced in 2025, aims to redefine airborne surveillance by combining advanced radar technology with the endurance and flexibility of unmanned aircraft systems. The result is a platform capable of delivering persistent airborne early warning coverage without placing aircrew in harm’s way.

Saab already has an established reputation in the airborne surveillance market through its highly regarded GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft. By adapting its LoyalEye radar sensor for use on the MQ-9B drone, the company is taking a significant step toward expanding AEW capabilities into the unmanned domain.

According to Carl Johan Bergholm, Head of Saab’s Surveillance business area, the combination of LoyalEye and MQ-9B offers enhanced situational awareness together with extended operational reach and endurance. The MQ-9B’s long-endurance capability provides the ability to remain airborne for extended periods, making it particularly well suited for surveillance, early warning and battlespace management missions. Unlike traditional AEW platforms, the unmanned system can operate without risking onboard crews during high-threat operations.

GA-ASI President David R. Alexander highlighted the growing importance of airborne sensing in modern conflict environments, where threats range from guided missiles and drones to fighter aircraft and tactical munitions. He noted that the MQ-9B’s operational availability exceeds that of many conventional military aircraft, while also providing the advantages associated with unmanned operations.

The joint system is designed to support a wide range of missions, including early threat detection, long-range target tracking and simultaneous monitoring of multiple airborne and surface targets. The aircraft will also be capable of operating beyond line-of-sight through satellite communication connectivity, significantly extending its operational flexibility.

The development reflects a broader global trend toward integrating advanced sensor technology with unmanned platforms to reduce operating costs, increase persistence and improve survivability in contested airspace.

For air forces around the world, including those in Africa where vast distances and maritime borders create unique surveillance challenges, unmanned airborne early warning platforms could eventually provide a more affordable alternative to traditional crewed AEW aircraft. While systems such as Saab’s GlobalEye remain among the most capable airborne surveillance platforms in service today, unmanned solutions may increasingly complement manned fleets in future operations.

The successful first flight of LoyalEye aboard the MQ-9B therefore represents more than just a technical achievement; it signals the beginning of a new chapter in airborne surveillance and network-centric warfare.