GA-ASI to develop new ABAD pod for MQ-9A
The MQ-9A Reaper can reach a maximum airspeed of 240kt at sea level and climb to a maximum altitude of 50,000ft. (Photo: US Air Force/DoD)
A collaboration between General Atomics and US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) will seek to equip the MQ-9A Reaper with enhanced threat detection and protection against Radio Frequency and Infrared threats.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) has partnered with USSOCOM to develop an Airborne Battlespace Awareness and Defense (ABAD) capability.
The initiative was set out to target enhancing the GA-ASI-supplied MQ-9A Block 5 Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance Tactical (MALET) extended-range UAV operated by the US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The ABAD system was designed to detect and protect against Radio Frequency (RF) and Infrared (IR) threats.
David Alexander, president of GA-ASI, emphasised the significance of threat awareness and survivability in contested environments for the MQ-9A.
“ABAD will enable the tracking of RF and IR missile threats, enable defensive measures and [offer] real-time threat awareness for MQ-9A,” Alexander remarked.
The initial contract phase focused on assessing suitable RF Electronic Warfare (EW) and IR countermeasures systems resulting in the selection of a next-generation software-defined radio-based EW system from BAE Systems and the AN/AAQ-45 Distributed Aperture Infrared Countermeasure System (DAIRCM) from Leonardo DRS.
Engineering and testing efforts have been underway to develop the ABAD capability as a podded payload for operation on the MQ-9A aircraft by 2025.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Australian Army aviation veers heavily towards the US]()
Australian Army aviation veers heavily towards the US
Sikorsky’s UH-60M Black Hawk and Boeing’s AH-46 Apache will soon form the bedrock of the Australian Army’s rotorcraft capabilities, as the army awaits further delivery of both types.
-
![Boeing secures $569 million contract to support Royal Australian Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail]()
Boeing secures $569 million contract to support Royal Australian Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail
The fleet of six E-7A Wedgetail aircraft is based at RAAF Base Williamtown and will reportedly support up to 170 jobs in the region.
-
![Anduril to supply loitering munitions to Ukraine with UK funding]()
Anduril to supply loitering munitions to Ukraine with UK funding
Since July 2024, the UK Government has provided more than £5.26 billion in support to Ukraine, including £3 billion in annual military aid and a £2.26 billion loan for defence spending. The latest deal will see Anduril supply Altius-600M and Altius-700M loitering munitions.
