General Atomics tests PT6 turboprop engine on MQ-9B RPAS
A MQ-9B SkyGuardian flies across the Atlantic Ocean. (Photo: GA-ASI)
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) and Pratt & Whitney have joined forces again.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) and Pratt & Whitney Canada have collaborated on testing of the PT6 E-Series model turboprop engine integrated with a MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS).
GA-ASI said in a 16 August statement that the engine tests were carried out at the company's Desert Horizon flight operations facility in El Mirage, California on 29 July.
The new engine, an alternative to the in-production Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop, will be on offer to future customers with performance benefits including a 33% increase in power, a dual channel electronic propeller and engine control system, according to David R. Alexander, President of GA-ASI.
'MQ-9B represents the next generation of RPA system having demonstrated airborne endurance of more than 40 hours in certain configurations, automatic takeoffs and landings under SATCOM-only control, as well as a GA-ASI developed Detect and Avoid system,' the manufacturer noted.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures]()
Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has driven another stage of evolution for drones and the counter measures to defend against them.
-
![L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms]()
L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms
The new Amorphous software is a universal controller that would allow a single operator to control a swarm of “thousands” of uncrewed systems, from drones to underwater platforms.
-
![ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025]()
ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025
India UAV supplier ideaForge has launched the Netra 5 and Switch V2 drones at Aero India 2025, boasting of enhanced endurance, AI-driven autonomy and improved operational capabilities.
-
![Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market]()
Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market
The UAV market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with innovations in technology and battlefield applications driving demand across military sectors. From the battlefields of Ukraine to NATO exercises and beyond, drones are transforming how wars are fought and supported.
-
![Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system]()
Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system
Launched at AUSA in October, the company’s multi-stream video codec is attempting to bring a new lease of life to drone technology through its AI accelerator.
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
