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
Supported by U.S. Polo Assn., the 2026 U.S. Open Women's Polo Championship(R) Concludes with Victory Eastern Hay the Champion17.2.2026 13:00:00 CET | Press release
WEST PALM BEACH, FL / ACCESS Newswire / February 17, 2026 / U.S. Polo Assn., the official sports brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), proudly supported the 2026 U.S. Open Women's Polo Championship®, which concluded on February 15 at the USPA National Polo Center (NPC) in Wellington, Florida, on the iconic U.S. Polo Assn. Stadium Field. Widely regarded as the most prestigious women's polo tournament in the United States, the championship brought together the sport's top athletes for three weeks of elite competition at the heart of American polo.1. Victory Eastern Hay proudly displaying their trophy as winner of the 2026 U.S. Open Women's Polo Championship at the USPA National Polo Center 2. Victory Eastern Hay Team on horseback (#1 Rebecca Schmeits, #2 Aspen Tinto, #3 Hazel Jackson, #4 Milly Hine) at the 2026 U.S. Open Women's Polo Championship 3. La Dolfina Team presents a donation to their charity of choice, Polo Players Support Group, provided by U.S. Polo Assn., at th
Datavault AI Updates Revenue Estimates by Approximately 30% at $38M to $40M17.2.2026 12:00:00 CET | Press release
PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESS Newswire / February 17, 2026 / Datavault AI Inc. (NASDAQ:DVLT) ("Datavault AI" or the "Company"), a leader in data monetization, credentialing, digital engagement and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization technologies, today announced its updated preliminary (unaudited) fiscal year 2025 revenue is estimated to be $38 to $40 million, exceeding its prior estimate of $30 million by up to 33%. At its midpoint, estimated FY-25 revenue represents approximately 1,300% growth year-over-year The Company attributed this revenue growth to its customer tech-licensing fees, and its Data Science Group's tokenization and monetization services. Further, Datavault AI reaffirmed its anticipated FY-26 revenue of $200 million, which, if achieved, would represent a year-over-year increase of 400% to 440%. KEY FINANCIAL METRICS FY 2025 (Preliminary, Unaudited): Estimated Revenue: $38-$40 million Prior Estimate: $30 million Incremental Change: +$8-$10 million (+27% to +33%) Midpoint:
Camino Intercepts High-Grade Copper with 83.5m at 0.94% Cu including 7.1m at 2.13% Cu at Los Chapitos, Peru17.2.2026 12:00:00 CET | Press release
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / February 17, 2026 / Camino Minerals Corporation (TSXV:COR)(OTCID:CAMZF) ("Camino" or the "Company")is pleased to announce the exploration results from Phase 1 of the recent drilling campaign at its Los Chapitos copper project ("Los Chapitos" or the "Project") in Peru. This news release reports the results from eight drill holes completed along the Diva trend corridor, where drilling activities focused on several targets with the objective of expanding the known mineralized body and improving the understanding of the scale and continuity of the mineralized system. Los Chapitos is Camino's second copper project with partner Nittetsu Mining Co, Ltd. ("Nittetsu"), who is completing a 35% earn-in interest in Los Chapitos after investing CAD $10 million and after the completion of Phase 2 of the current drilling campaign (see news release dated June 14, 2023). Camino is also advancing its Puquios Copper Project in Chile with Nittetsu Mining towards mine cons
Skymantics Europe Leverages DataGenesis to Power Next-Gen European Digital Twins with High-Fidelity Synthetic Populations16.2.2026 11:00:00 CET | Press release
ZARAGOZA, ES / ACCESS Newswire / February 16, 2026 / Skymantics Europe's DataGenesis platform supports the evolution of European Digital Twins. By providing high-accuracy, high-resolution synthetic population datasets, DataGenesis enables the simulation of complex demographic, socioeconomic, and health attributes, allowing for precise future scenario planning and more resilient policy-making across the continent. As Europe moves into a more sophisticated phase of digital modeling, the need to integrate the "human dimension" into Earth-system and urban models is paramount. DataGenesis addresses this by generating "digital twins" of populations that maintain the statistical integrity and multidimensional complexity of real-world communities-without utilizing or exposing sensitive personal information. Integrating Human Dynamics into Digital Ecosystems Skymantics' DataGenesis platform bridges the gap between environmental data and societal impact. Its mature model-based AI approach provid
GA-ASI Achieves New Milestone With Semi-Autonomous CCA Flight12.2.2026 21:55:00 CET | Press release
YFQ-42A Uncrewed Fighter Jet Executes Mission Autonomy Test SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / February 12, 2026 / General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) passed a new milestone this month, successfully integrating 3rd-party mission autonomy into the YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft to conduct its first semi-autonomous airborne mission. For this test, GA-ASI used mission autonomy software supplied by Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, to fly the new YFQ-42A CCA, designed and developed by GA-ASI for the U.S. Air Force. The Sidekick Collaborative Mission Autonomy software was seamlessly integrated with the YFQ-42A's flight control system, utilizing the Autonomy Government Reference Architecture (A-GRA). The integration enabled robust and reliable data exchange between the autonomy software and the aircraft's mission systems, ensuring precise execution of mission autonomy commands. During the recent testing, autonomy mode was activated via the Ground Station Console (GSC)
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