Matthew Nelson
General Atomics has tested a ground control station in conjunction with an MQ-9B SkyGuardian remotely piloted aircraft during a flight test that took place in Yuma, Ariz.
The company said Wednesday its “certifiable” GCS houses flight, payload and weapons management systems for the SkyGuardian and uses a human machine interface designed to provide a single view of tactical mission scenarios.
“We continue on a path towards integrating RPA into non-segregated national and international airspace, where they can fly safely alongside commercial aircraft,” said Linden Blue, CEO of General Atomics’ aeronautical systems business.
The C-GCS test occurred Oct. 4 and demonstrated aircraft flight functions such as landing and hand-flying maneuvers, flap movement and hold modes.
General Atomics has scheduled a second ground station test to assess the terminal’s satellite communications datalink, launch-and-recovery and mission support functions.
