General Atomics has partnered with Saab to develop an airborne early warning and control capability that could be carried by its MQ-9B family of remotely piloted aircraft, including SkyGuardian, SeaGuardian, Protector, and the potentially carrier-capable MQ-9B short takeoff and landing (STOL) variant now in development.
Under the proposal, the MQ-9B would carry a Saab-supplied airborne early warning (AEW) radar and associated systems, with data downlinked to ground bases, aircraft, or surface vessels. Saab has developed its successful Erieye AEW radar family, of which the latest service variant—Erieye ER—is integrated into the GlobalEye platform based on the Bombardier Global 6000/6500 business jet.
The MQ-9B proposal is being pitched at operators who already use crewed AEW aircraft to extend their effective coverage without putting personnel into danger, as well as operators who wish to have AEW capability but do not have the budget for acquiring or operating large, crewed platforms.