General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and industry partners are working on an open architecture-based payload for drones.  The company said it teamed with British firms Selex Galileo and Cobham’s aviation services business to conduct live test flights of a MQ-9 Reaper, fitted with a Selex Galileo-made surveillance radar. Flights took place at GA-ASI's facilities in Palmdale, Calif. […] More

Chris Pehrson is director of strategic development for General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). The 24-year Air Force veteran is responsible for the company's acquisition strategies and for promoting the company’s unmanned aircraft, sensors and reconnaissance radar systems. Pehrson recently spoke with ExecutiveBiz, outlining how a successful acquisition process works and potential applications on the […] More

BAE Systems is developing a long-range railgun for the Navy‘s surface ships capable of launching a projectile with 32 megajoule of energy at 5,600 mph. The Navy announced Tuesday the Naval Surface Warfare Center‘s Dahlgren division started a two-month long test series of the Electro Magnetic Railgun prototype, the first industry-built electromagnetic railgun. BAE and General […] More

Predator drones are not only sent to countries abroad, but are being used increasingly to patrol the U.S.-Mexico border, according to the Washington Post. Customs and Border Protection currently has five Predators flying over the southern border, with a sixth being added soon. CBP has eight of the drones total, the Post reports. CBP wants […] More

The Air Force is sending a General Atomics Predator C Avenger drone to Afghanistan, according to a Flightglobal report. The Avenger is referred to as a test aircraft, but Flightglobal reports the order meets Defense Secretary Leon Panetta‘s request for reconnaissance and strike capabilities. “This aircraft will be used as a test asset and will […] More