General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and KONGSBERG Gruppen ASA have completed the System Requirements Review (SRR) and Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for integrating the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) onto the MQ-9B uncrewed aircraft system. The jointly funded programme marks a key milestone in providing MQ-9B operators with a long-range precision strike capability. The reviews were completed on June 30 in Kongsberg, Norway.
The integration combines GA-ASI’s MQ-9B platform, including the SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian® variants, with KONGSBERG’s Joint Strike Missile, designed to engage high-priority targets with fifth-generation stealth capabilities.
“We recognize the value JSM brings to our MQ-9B platform,” said Niki Johnson, GA-ASI Vice President, International Capture and Government Affairs. “This integration effort shows how industry can effectively collaborate to integrate new capabilities and make them available quickly to our warfighters.”
The programme is intended to expand MQ-9B’s multi-domain mission capabilities, enabling long-endurance operations over land and sea while providing operators with an advanced stand-off strike option.
“Having JSM integrated onto an uncrewed air platform – the MQ-9B – enables a highly capable strike mission set that can be employed in conjunction with or independently of piloted aircraft. This is an operational capability that we’re seeing greater interest in across the defence sector,” said Jens Gjestvang, Senior Vice President, Missiles and Aerostructures.
MQ-9Bs are multi-mission, multi-domain UAS that can operate in all weather conditions. MQ-9B aircraft are being flown by the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force, Belgian Defence, and the Japan Coast Guard. In addition, MQ-9B has been selected by Canada, Denmark, Poland, Germany, Qatar, Taiwan, India, and the U.S. Air Force in support of the Special Operations Command. MQ-9B has also been featured in various U.S. Navy exercises, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, RIMPAC, and Group Sail.
