On the opening day of the Paris Air Show, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems made two significant announcements: the introduction of an air-launched effect called Pele and a collaboration with Swedish defense company Saab to integrate an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) capability into the MQ-9B Reaper drone.
The agreement with Saab entails equipping the Reaper with a suite of advanced AEW sensors, enabling it to perform various detection and tracking operations. The companies aim to have a Reaper equipped with this sensor package by 2026, although specific details about the sensors were not disclosed in the press release.
This integration is designed to offer cost-effective alternatives for nations that cannot invest in dedicated early warning systems like the E-2 Hawkeye or Saab’s GlobalEye. Given the increasing global concerns regarding missile defense, their solution provides a more accessible option for enhancing aerial surveillance capabilities.
“High and low-tech air threats both pose major challenges to global air forces,” stated GA-ASI President David Alexander. He emphasized that the new system will enhance operational capabilities against both advanced cruise missiles and emerging threats like drone swarms, while also enabling AEW capabilities in areas that lack them, including on naval vessels.
Carl-Johan Bergholm, head of Saab’s Surveillance business area, added, “We are bringing our exceptional ability to detect and track challenging objects to customers looking to use MQ-9B to meet their specific needs. This unmanned medium-altitude AEW solution, leveraging core competencies of both companies, has excellent potential to complement our existing AEW&C portfolio and provide customers with yet another cutting-edge capability.”
Additionally, General Atomics unveiled Pele, the Precision Exportable Launched Effect, which is characterized as semi-autonomous and suitable for attritable missions. Pele is a propeller-driven small unmanned aerial system (UAS) that can be launched from the MQ-9 or ground platforms.
With an 11-foot wingspan and a 16-horsepower engine, Pele boasts features such as internal mission payload storage and an onboard electro-optical infrared sensor capable of delivering full-motion video. The system has a maximum takeoff weight of 250 pounds, endurance of seven hours, and a range of 500 nautical miles. This launch comes as the U.S. military, particularly the Army, explores air-launched effects that involve deploying smaller units from larger platforms.
Furthermore, GA is showcasing its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, identified as the YFQ-42A by the U.S. Air Force, with a full-scale model displayed at the event. While this program is primarily intended for U.S. Air Force usage, many European nations are considering similar concepts for their future military requirements.