GA-ASI Completes Full-Scale Fatigue Test on MQ-9B for Second Lifetime
14.10.2024 13:00:00 CEST | ACCESS Newswire | Press release
SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / October 14, 2024 / On Sept. 30, 2024, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) completed a major milestone with the full-scale fatigue testing of an MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). The team completed the "second lifetime" of fatigue testing, which is equivalent to 80,000 operating hours and represents an important step in validating the design of the airframe system. The testing is part of the aircraft certification to NATO standard STANAG 4671, where the aircraft will ultimately be tested through three lifetimes, thereby proving the 40,000-hour lifetime of the airframe.
The full-scale fatigue test simulates the aircraft's design service through the application of repeated structural loading on the assembled airframe. The testing identifies any potential structural deficiencies ahead of fleet usage and assists in developing inspection and maintenance schedules for the airframe. The results of the test will be used as part of the documentation for certification and will form the basis for in-service inspections of structural components.
MQ-9B is GA-ASI's most advanced RPA and includes the SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian® models as well as the new Protector RG Mk1 that is currently being delivered to the United Kingdom Royal Air Force (RAF).
"Full-scale fatigue testing is an integral part of validating the airframe design and a key input for the certification of the airframe prior to entering service," said Chris Dusseault, vice president of MQ-9B in Europe. "The completion of the fatigue test builds confidence for our MQ-9B customers that the SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian meets the stringent design rigor and is mature at Entry into Service."
The testing is the validation of years of design and analysis efforts. This is the second of three lifetimes of testing for the airframe. Two of the lifetimes simulate the operation of an aircraft under normal conditions, and the third has intentional damage inflicted on the airframe's critical components to demonstrate its resistance to operational damage that may occur over the lifetime of the air vehicle.
Testing was conducted from Jan. 31, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2024, at Wichita State University's National Institute for Aviation Research in Wichita, Kansas. The airframe tested is a production airframe purpose-built to support the test campaign.
In addition to the RAF, contracts have been signed for MQ-9B with Belgium, Canada, Japan, Taiwan and the U.S. Air Force in support of the Special Operations Command. The Japan Coast Guard is currently operating the SeaGuardian for maritime operations, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) selected SeaGuardian for its Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) RPA System Trial Operation Project.
About GA-ASI
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable RPA systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. With more than eight million flight hours, GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent situational awareness. The company also produces a variety of sensor control/image analysis software, offers pilot training and support services, and develops meta-material antennas.
For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com.
Avenger, Lynx, Predator, Reaper, SeaGuardian, and SkyGuardian are registered trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
Contact Information
GA-ASI Media Relations
asi-mediarelations@ga-asi.com
SOURCE: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
View the original press release on newswire.com.
General Atomics
Subscribe to releases from ACCESS Newswire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from ACCESS Newswire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from ACCESS Newswire
Polaris Renewable Energy Awards Key Supply Contract and Issues Notice to Proceed on Punta Lima Battery Storage Investment20.10.2026 23:10:00 CEST | Press release
TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / October 20, 2026 / Polaris Renewable Energy Inc. (TSX:PIF) ("Polaris" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has awarded and executed a contract with Trina Energy Storage Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. ("Trina Storage") for the supply of battery energy storage systems ("BESS") for the Company's Punta Lima project in Puerto Rico. Trina Storage is a global utility-scale energy storage provider with 30 GWh of BESS projects commissioned and under execution worldwide, including more than 6 GWh across Latin America and the Caribbean. The Punta Lima BESS project is being advanced under Puerto Rico's Accelerated Storage Addition Program ("ASAP"), a strategic initiative designed to strengthen grid reliability through the deployment of utility-scale battery energy storage systems co-located with existing generation facilities. As background, on June 5, 2026, Polaris Power US, Inc. ("PPUS") fully executed the BESS Standard Offer Agreement (the "SO1 Agree
DataTracks Strengthens European Track Record, Supporting 550+ Large Dutch Entities in First KVK Digital Reporting Cycle20.10.2026 13:00:00 CEST | Press release
AMSTERDAM, NL / ACCESS Newswire / October 20, 2026 / DataTracks, a specialist provider of KVK XBRL and iXBRL filing and ESEF reporting solutions, has supported more than 550 large entities across the Netherlands in meeting their annual accounts reporting requirements under the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel, KVK). This is the first cycle in which large Dutch legal entities, other than listed issuers that report under ESEF, must file their annual accounts electronically via Standard Business Reporting (SBR). The requirement applies to financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2025. Entities may file in XBRL or Inline XBRL (iXBRL), depending on their reporting framework. iXBRL is required for entities reporting under IFRS, those including a CSRD sustainability statement and those using entity-specific disclosures. For many companies, this was a significant change from preparing and filing annual accounts in PDF or paper format. Finance teams had to produce st
Chervon Names Terry Lucero Director of National Accounts - Industrial19.10.2026 15:00:00 CEST | Press release
NAPERVILLE, IL / ACCESS Newswire / October 19, 2026 / Terry Lucero joins Chervon as Director of National Accounts - Industrial, effective October 19, 2026, reporting to Jeff Campbell, Senior Vice President of Industrial Commercial Sales. Lucero brings 25+ years of extensive experience in building professional tool businesses at national accounts, regional accounts, at the store level and at the end user level. Lucero started his career at Dewalt where he advanced through a series of sales, sales management and end user marketing positions over 5 years driving professional tool growth. Lucero went on to WW Grainger where he progressed through a series of business development and sales management positions. He was also a sales manager of professional equipment at United Rentals. Most recently, Lucero served as a director of sales at APEX Tool Group for the Americas. "Terry's impressive pro tool experience in industrial distribution, national account management and end user marketing make
Chervon Names Krystle Adams Director of Sales Recruiting19.10.2026 15:00:00 CEST | Press release
NAPERVILLE, IL / ACCESS Newswire / October 19, 2026 / Krystle Adams joins Chervon as Director of Sales Recruiting, effective October 19, 2026, reporting to Matt DeFeo, SVP of Sales, Training and Recruiting. Over the past 9+ years, Adams has advanced through a series of increasingly responsible sales and recruiting positions at TTI. Earlier in her impressive career, Krystle distinguished herself as an outstanding sales representative and sales manager delivering consistently strong results. Most recently, she was a National Recruiting Operations Manager responsible for leading, coordinating, and implementing recruiting efforts across campuses nationwide. Krystle has demonstrated exceptional skills in developing and leading campus and field sales recruiting efforts. She also designed and executed a thriving national college internship program. "I feel incredibly fortunate to now have Krystle Adams in place to launch Chervon campus recruiting," said Matt DeFeo, SVP of Sales, Training and
Chervon Names Devin Murray Director of Sales - Northern Division19.10.2026 15:00:00 CEST | Press release
NAPERVILLE, IL / ACCESS Newswire / October 19, 2026 / Devin Murray joins Chervon as Director of Sales - Northern Division, effective October 19, 2026, reporting to Thomas Kentouris, Vice President of Field Sales. Murray joins Chervon after completing a six-year fast track career in TTI sales and sales management. Most recently, he was a Key End User Account Manager for Milwaukee charged with growing the pro tool business with large end users. Murray's exceptional recruiting skills and leadership skills enabled him to build, manage and inspire highly effective sales teams at the store level. His account management prowess resulted in outstanding sales results and strong partnerships with multiple national accounts. "Early in his impressive career, Devin was identified as a high potential future superstar executive," said Thomas Kentouris. "His large end user pro tool experience is exactly what we need to help build our pro tool leadership position. His inspiring leadership skills combin
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom