Avalon 2025: General Atomics combat drone to fly before August and will be targeted at Australian requirements
GA-ASI believes there are opportunities for its CCA in Australia. (Image: GA-ASI)
General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) landed the big win when it was awarded Project Air 7003. Despite the cancellation in 2022, however, the company sees potential in the Australian market.
The Australian Government’s cancellation of Project Air 7003 only three years ago, which would have seen GA-ASI deliver up to 12 weapons-ready MQ-9B SkyGuardian aircraft and a significant quantity of related equipment under a US$1.6 billion deal, has not dampened the company’s belief in medium-term opportunities.
Company officials, speaking to Shephard at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon near Melbourne, said there remained capability needs in the Australian Defence Forces even though there were not declared requirements or money.
The upbeat attitude comes at the same time as it looks to fly its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Increment 1 prototype
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![M-345 officially enters service as trainer for Italian Air Force]()
M-345 officially enters service as trainer for Italian Air Force
The Leonardo M-345 High-Efficiency Trainer (HET) basic/advanced trainer is similar to the M-346, which is the second part of the Italian Air Force’s training system, but is a substantially smaller and less powerful aircraft.
-
![Belgium’s F-35A order progresses at it awaits first jet delivery by late 2025]()
Belgium’s F-35A order progresses at it awaits first jet delivery by late 2025
The first aircraft delivery timeline confirmation comes as Belgium weighs up an additional F-3A buy from Lockheed Martin.
-
![Enhancing education: How CAE is embracing new technology to boost military training]()
Enhancing education: How CAE is embracing new technology to boost military training
In Conversation... Shephard's Gerrard Cowan talks to CAE's Marc-Olivier Sabourin about how the training and simulation industry can help militaries achieve essential levels of readiness by leveraging new technology, innovative procurement methods and a truly collaborative approach.
