General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) flew a company-owned MQ-9B SkyGuardian® Remotely Piloted Aircraft on July 15, 2024, with a PT6 E-Series model turboprop engine supplied by Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada. Representatives from GA-ASI and Pratt &amp; Whitney witnessed the first flight of the PT6 engine on MQ-9B, which lasted 44 minutes and demonstrated exemplary handling and acceleration.“We’re excited to see the PT6 engine on our MQ-9B aircraft,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “We’ve worked with Pratt &amp; Whitney for years, specifically on our jet-powered Avenger®, and we’ve enjoyed a very productive partnership. The first flight marks an important milestone for MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian® customers and missions that require additional power. In addition, customers who choose the Pratt &amp; Whitney engine will benefit from low sustainment costs from best-in-class Time Between Overhauls, as well as 50+ maintenance and overhaul facilities around the globe.”The PT6 E-Series is a reliable and versatile turboprop engine family that delivers key performance enhancements applicable to future MQ-9B missions. PT6 delivers a 33 percent increase in power over MQ-9B’s current engine, with a highly mature dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Controller.MQ-9B is GA-ASI’s next generation RPA, delivering exceptionally long endurance and range, with auto takeoff and landing under SATCOM-only control, and will be able to operate in unsegregated airspace using the GA-ASI-developed Detect and Avoid system.Deliveries of MQ-9B have begun for the United Kingdom, with contracts in place with Belgium, Canada, Taiwan, and the U.S. Air Force in support of the Special Operations Command. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ga.com/ga-asi-seaguardian-begins-operations-for-japan-coast-guard">Japan Coast Guard</a>&nbsp;is currently operating MQ-9B for maritime operations, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ga.com/ga-asi-selected-for-japan-maritime-self-defense-force-male-rpas-project">Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force</a>&nbsp;(JMSDF) selected MQ-9B for its Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Trial Operation Project. MQ-9B has also supported various U.S. Navy exercises, including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ga.com/ga-asi-seaguardian-supports-northern-edge-2023">Northern Edge</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ga.com/seaguardian-used-by-usn-in-support-of-integrated-battle-problem">Integrated Battle Problem</a>, and <a href="https://www.ga.com/mq-9b-seaguardian-featured-in-us-navy-group-sail-exercise">Group Sail</a>.

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General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) flew a company-owned MQ-9B SkyGuardian® Remotely Piloted Aircraft on July 15, 2024, with a PT6 E-Series model turboprop engine supplied by Pratt & Whitney Canada. Representatives from GA-ASI and Pratt & Whitney witnessed the first flight of the PT6 engine on MQ-9B, which lasted 44 minutes and demonstrated exemplary handling and acceleration.

GA-ASI Flies MQ-9B With Pratt and Whitney Canada's PT6 E-Series Engine

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