First Automated Landing of an MQ-9 Block 5 Completed by USAF

First Automated Landing of an MQ-9 Block 5 Completed by USAF

SAN DIEGO, California, the USA (BulgarianMilitary.com), 21 September 2018, Editor: Galina Zdravkova, Photo credit: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI)

The affiliate of the privately-held company General Atomics and leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems solutions, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), announced on 17 September 2018 that the US Air Force (USAF) has completed the first automated landing of an MQ-9 Block 5, learned BulgarianMilitary.com

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The first-ever automated landing of an MQ-9 Block 5 Remotely Piloted Aircraft was carried out on 7 August 2018 and two days later, on 9 August 2018, the first auto-takeoff of the MQ-9 Block 5 followed.

That innovative Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability (ATLC) has been developed by GA-ASI for the purposes of improving mission capability and thus increasing the safety and efficiency of the air crews.

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The President, Aircraft Systems, at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. David R. Alexander, commented, “This new, all-weather capability greatly increases the autonomy, flexibility, combat effectiveness and safety of the MQ-9 Reaper for the USAF. Adding this level of automation will reduce the deployment burden of the warfighter and expand the scope of missions that can be flown by Air Force MQ-9s.”

The ATLC development programme remains on track for fielding next year in the autumn.

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About GA-ASI

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is a leading company in the field of design and manufacturing of reliable Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, among which are the Predator®RPA series and the Lynx®Multi-mode Radar. The company also makes various ground control stations and sensor control/image analysis software, develops meta-material antennas and provides pilot training and support services.

Reaper, Predator, and Lynx are registered trademarks of GA-ASI.

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