MQ-9B with Loyal Eye: Saab and General Atomics fly unmanned early warning solution for the first time

Saab and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems have announced the successful first flight of the world's first unmanned airborne early warning (AEW) solution. The milestone is based on Saab's integration of its Loyal Eye radar sensor into the unmanned MQ-9B drone from General Atomics.

The two companies had already announced their partnership in 2025. It is intended to make airborne early warning and surveillance systems significantly more capable and to enable faster military decision-making.

The Loyal Eye sensor flew on an unmanned platform for the first time at General Atomics' “Desert Horizon” test site in Southern California. This marks the start of a trial phase lasting several months; it is to culminate in a comprehensive capability demonstration later in the year.

What Saab and General Atomics contribute to the MQ-9B solution

With its crewed Global Eye early warning system, Saab is one of the world's leading providers of airborne airspace surveillance. General Atomics brings extensive experience with unmanned aircraft systems and their operational use. Together, the companies are now working on an unmanned AEW solution for modern air surveillance and early warning missions.

Carl-Johan Bergholm, head of Saab's Surveillance business area, explains: “Loyal Eye on the MQ-9B provides a decisive airborne sensor capability with long endurance and great range.” The system is intended to complement crewed platforms, improve situational awareness and significantly increase operational flexibility.

General Atomics also sees great potential in the new solution. “AEW based on the MQ-9B will provide a decisive capability for countering tactical air threats, guided missiles, drones as well as fighter and bomber aircraft,” says President David R. Alexander. He also pointed out that Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones offer high availability and put no crews at risk.

In future, the joint system is to take on many tasks: early warning, target reconnaissance, long-range surveillance and simultaneous tracking of multiple targets. Data is transmitted both beyond line of sight and via satellite communications (SATCOM).