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Avalon 2025: General Atomics combat drone to fly before August and will be targeted at Australian requirements

25th March 2025 - 10:38 GMT | by Damian Kemp in Melbourne, Australia

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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

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