General Atomics and Saab Test MQ-9B Radar
The companies successfully completed flight tests of the LoyalEye radar system on an MQ-9B drone in Southern California.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Industry — General
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General Atomics and Saab have successfully conducted flight tests for the LoyalEye radar system integrated into an MQ-9B drone. The trials demonstrated the capability of the unmanned platform to track multiple airborne and maritime targets simultaneously.
Why it matters
This development aims to provide persistent and cost-effective air surveillance in environments where reduced aircrew exposure and geographic reach are critical. The system is designed to integrate with ground or ship-based infrastructure to enhance command and control capabilities.
The MQ-9B platform utilizes 3 specialized pods, consisting of two wing-mounted radar pods and one centerline processing pod. The joint development effort to integrate this surveillance technology began in June 2025.
The players
General Atomics
General Atomics is a defense and technology company known for designing and manufacturing unmanned aerial systems like the MQ-9B.
Saab
Saab is a Swedish aerospace and defense company that specializes in advanced radar technology and integrated sensor systems.
The details
The MQ-9B system can be coupled with ground or ship-based infrastructure to enable Battle Management Command and Control capability. The recent tests at the Desert Horizon facility successfully validated the radar's ability to monitor diverse operational environments.
Timeline
June 15, 2025: Collaboration for the AEW pod development was announced.
May 2026: The AEW pods flew for the first time.
October 28, 2026: Flight tests were reported as completed.
End of 2026: The system is targeted to become operational.
Market Landscape
This project follows a pattern set by the Pentagon's Replicator initiative to prioritize rapid, cost-effective deployment of autonomous surveillance technology. The shift toward unmanned, persistent intelligence platforms directly challenges traditional, crewed-aircraft market dominance.
The transition to unmanned, persistent surveillance systems like the MQ-9B may lead to lower operational costs for national defense surveillance missions. These efficiencies could influence future military procurement budgets and the strategic deployment of assets globally.
The takeaway
The successful testing of the LoyalEye radar marks a significant step toward operationalizing long-range unmanned surveillance by the end of 2026. Advancements in sensor integration continue to decrease the necessity for human-crewed aircraft in high-risk zones.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving defense technology sector, visit the Industry — General section.
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