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.
The system is designed for MQ-9A Reaper and MQ-20 Avenger drones. GA-ASI announced a test in which Avenger participated. The drone assembles oversized UAVs using a Breeze-Estern lift that has been integrated into the cargo compartment.
BREAKING: GA-ASI #AvengerUAS tests new aerial recovery system for small unmanned aircraft.
This recovery system will enable our large unmanned aircraft to recover and redeploy smaller ones, like the Sparrowhawk, mid-flight.
Read here: https://t.co/Khf0B0aqFJ pic.twitter.com/yJA4dKMtdc
– GA-ASI (@GenAtomics_ASI) October 10, 2023
The test confirmed the concept of combining smaller drones with larger unmanned aerial vehicles. This was stated by Mike Atwood, one of the vice presidents of GA-ASI.
The new technology will enable the MQ-9A Reaper and MQ-20 Avenger to become mobile command centers for oversized unmanned aerial vehicles. This will make it possible to expand their use in surveillance, electronic attacks and suppression of enemy air defense systems.