Saab and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) have joined forces to develop a next-generation Unmanned Airborne Early Warning (UAEW) solution, combining Saab’s renowned AEW&C sensor technology with the MQ-9B unmanned aerial system. This strategic collaboration aims to deliver a cost-effective and persistent surveillance platform capable of operating over land and sea.
The system is designed to detect and track threats such as fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, and drone swarms. By integrating Saab’s advanced radar systems into GA-ASI’s MQ-9B—a long-endurance drone already ordered by several countries—the partnership seeks to make high-end early warning capabilities more affordable and accessible for global defence forces.
According to Saab, the UAEW system will offer operational flexibility, functioning either independently or as part of a manned-unmanned team. It can be deployed from naval warships or land-based platforms, expanding AEW coverage to regions where conventional systems are limited by infrastructure or cost.
GA-ASI president David R. Alexander described the program as “a transformation in operations,” noting its potential to enhance defences against both sophisticated missile threats and low-cost drone attacks. Saab’s Surveillance division chief Carl-Johan Bergholm emphasized that the new system complements the company’s existing AEW&C portfolio while opening up new mission possibilities.
The first flight of the AEW-equipped MQ-9B is scheduled for 2026. Once operational, the system is expected to support customers such as the U.K., Canada, Japan, India, and the U.S., where the MQ-9B is already in active procurement or deployment.
The Saab–GA-ASI collaboration is being closely watched by defence analysts, who see it as a key step in evolving early warning systems into more agile, unmanned formats suitable for tomorrow’s battlefields.
