General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) and Kongsberg Gruppen ASA (Kongsberg) have completed the System Requirements Review (SRR) and Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the integration of the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) weapon system onto MQ-9B.
This design and integration effort is a jointly funded project by both companies aimed at providing long-range strike capability for MQ-9B and its customers. These reviews were successfully completed in Kongsberg, Norway, on 30 June.
MQ-9B is an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) manufactured by GA-ASI and includes the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian models. Kongsberg produces the JSM, a weapon system for use against high-priority targets.
“We recognize the value JSM brings to our MQ-9B platform,” GA-ASI Vice President, International Capture and Government Affairs, Niki Johnson, stated.
“This integration effort shows how industry can effectively collaborate to integrate new capabilities and make them available quickly to our warfighters.”
MQ-9B is a long-endurance uncrewed platform that can conduct missions over land and over water. JSM is a fifth-generation stealth air-to-surface missile for use against high-priority targets.
“Having JSM integrated onto an uncrewed air platform – the MQ-9B – enables a highly capable strike mission set that can be employed in conjunction with or independently of piloted aircraft. This is an operational capability that we’re seeing greater interest in across the defence sector,” Kongsberg Senior Vice President, Missiles and Aerostructures, Jens Gjestvang, indicated.
According to GA-ASI, MQ-9Bs are multi-mission, multi-domain UAS that can operate in all weather conditions. The aircraft are being flown by the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force, Belgian Defence, and the Japan Coast Guard.
In addition, MQ-9B has been selected by Canada, Denmark, Poland, Germany, Qatar, Taiwan, India, and the US Air Force in support of the Special Operations Command. MQ-9B has also been featured in various US Navy exercises, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, RIMPAC, and Group Sail, GA-ASI claims.