General Atomics has created a system for the MQ-9A Reaper and MQ-20 Avenger that can pick up small drones in the air
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has developed a new system that allows large UAVs to pick up smaller drones in flight. The technology has already been tested.
Here's What We Know
The system is designed for the MQ-9A Reaper and MQ-20 Avenger drones. GA-ASI announced a test that involved the Avenger specifically. The drone assembles oversized UAVs using a Breeze-Estern hoist that was integrated into the cargo bay.
BREAKING: GA-ASI #AvengerUAS tests new aerial recovery system for small unmanned aircraft.
- GA-ASI (@GenAtomics_ASI) October 10, 2023
This recovery system will enable our large unmanned aircraft to recover and redeploy smaller ones, like Sparrowhawk, midflight.
Read here: https://t.co/Khf0B0aqFJ pic.twitter.com/yJA4dKMtdc
The test validated the concept of pairing smaller drones with larger unmanned aerial vehicles. The announcement was made by Mike Atwood, one of the vice presidents of GA-ASI.
The new technology will turn the MQ-9A Reaper and MQ-20 Avenger into mobile command centres for oversized drones. This will enable them to expand their use in surveillance, electronic attack and suppression of enemy air defence systems.
Source: GA-ASI
