MQ-9B SkyGuardian achieves record flight
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems’ (GA‑ASI) MQ-9B SkyGuardian UAS has set a new company record with a flight endurance of more than 48 hours, the company announced on 25 May.
The MQ-9B is a certifiable STANAG 4671 version of the Predator B UAS.
According to the company, the SkyGuardian flight was the longest ever by a Predator B aircraft. The UAS took off from Laguna Airfield at Yuma Proving Grounds with 6,065lbs of internal fuel onboard. Configured in an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance clean wing mode, the aircraft flew between 25,000 and 35,000ft for the duration of the mission and landed 48.2 hours later with 280lbs of reserve fuel.
GA‑ASI’s previous endurance record was held by Predator XP, which flew 46.1 hours in February 2015.
SkyGuardian has been designed for use in non-military airspace. The weaponised variant of the system is being acquired by the UK’s Royal Air Force for its Protector programme.
A maritime patrol variant, SeaGuardian, is designed to support open-ocean and littoral surface surveillance. All three variants are intended to fly in excess of 35 hours with airspeeds up to 210 knots and reach altitudes of over 40,000ft.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![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.
-
![US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS]()
US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS
The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
-
![AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024]()
AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024
AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
-
![Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards]()
Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards
The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
-
![FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official]()
FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official
Prototypes from Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems recently passed through MOSA conformance trials and flight tests.
-
![Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities]()
Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities
Funds for the second phase of this effort will be allocated in the US Department of Defense (DoD) FY2026 budget request.
