Predator B flies with radar warning receiver
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA‑ASI) has demonstrated a Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) on the Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper Block 5 UAS in a flight trial from the company's Gray Butte flight operations facility.
The flight was carried out as part of work to demonstrate the ability of Predator B to operate with a RWR integrated as part of its standard payload pod in the proximity of threat radars and enemy air defences.
The receiver used was the Raytheon ALR-69A RWR, designed to provide enhanced situational awareness to aircrew and air element command and control units by identifying potential radar threats in or near contested airspace environments.
Various ground-based radars were used in the demonstration. In a number of flight profiles, the pod was able to validate RWR performance which met or exceeded current thresholds for both air and ground radar threats. Additionally, the RWR information to the flight crew was deemed useful for triggering flight crew action, such as manually cross-cueing to other onboard sensors to validate threat information.
GA-ASI plans further RWR demonstrations later in the year to include integration with a military Link 16 tactical data exchange network.
Development and testing is currently being conducted under internal research and development funding, with the goal of partnering with potential customers in the near future.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![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.
-
![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.
