General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and U.S. Air Force partners conducted a flight test pairing an F-35 Lightning II with an MQ-20 Avenger drone surrogate, demonstrating autonomous command and coordination capabilities central to the future of collaborative air combat.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is investing in six Dutch tech companies through its Blue Magic Netherlands program, following a startup pitch event in Eindhoven. The partnerships focus on drone autonomy, AI, batteries, navigation in GPS-denied environments, haptics, and data security, expanding GA-ASI’s collaboration with the Dutch defense innovation ecosystem.

GA-ASI and the U.S. Air Force used an MQ-20 Avenger uncrewed jet in a February demonstration to validate passive infrared targeting and autonomous coordination capabilities, advancing the development of Collaborative Combat Aircraft operations in contested electromagnetic environments.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and Barzan Holdings have signed an MOU in Doha to collaborate on advanced battle management software aimed at improving situational awareness and decision-making in multi-domain operations.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and Calidus Aerospace have signed an MOU to collaborate on the co-production of MQ-9B and Gambit unmanned aircraft in the UAE, marking the first prospective manufacturing of General Atomics aircraft in the region.

Germany will acquire eight MQ-9B SeaGuardian remotely piloted aircraft through NATO’s procurement agency, with deliveries beginning in 2028. The purchase expands NATO interoperability and strengthens Germany’s maritime surveillance and multi-domain operations capability.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. has begun construction of a new 85,000-square-foot hangar at El Mirage Airfield in Southern California to support testing and operations of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian aircraft. The expansion reflects growing global demand for the MQ-9B and includes space for ground control stations, aircraft launch pads and gate terminals.

GA-ASI and the U.S. Navy successfully tested an expanded sonobuoy dispensing system on the MQ-9B SeaGuardian, doubling its payload and enabling first-ever deployment of multistatic active coherent buoys from an uncrewed aircraft. The test advances SeaGuardian’s anti-submarine warfare capability, with deployment clearance expected later this month.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. successfully demonstrated advanced mission autonomy using its MQ-20 Avenger jet, executing a live engagement scenario against a human-flown aircraft. The flight showcased the aircraft’s ability to autonomously plan, sense, track and simulate engagement of a target while complying with operational boundaries, reinforcing GA-ASI’s progress in human-machine teaming and autonomous combat capabilities for future warfighter missions.

GA-ASI and Barzan Holdings signed an MOU at DIMDEX 2026 to collaborate on advanced battle management software aimed at improving situational awareness and intelligence integration across multi-domain operations. The agreement reinforces long-term cooperation between the companies and the State of Qatar, focusing on interoperable command-and-control solutions and next-generation defense capabilities.