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
-
![Can emergent suppliers of fighter aircraft crack Middle East markets?]()
Can emergent suppliers of fighter aircraft crack Middle East markets?
The 2025 Dubai Airshow saw several aspiring suppliers of combat aircraft to the region’s air forces parade their wares in the sky and on the ground. Shephard’s Edward Hunt explores their chance of success in the Middle East.
-
![Saab eyes fresh market opportunities for its GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft]()
Saab eyes fresh market opportunities for its GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft
As the E-7 Wedgetail faces prolonged production and technical delays as well as a recently abandoned contract from NATO, its competitor, the GlobalEye, may find new avenues for market growth.
-
![Podcast: Critical Care episode 6 - Embedded sustainment with the Royal Netherlands Air Force]()
Podcast: Critical Care episode 6 - Embedded sustainment with the Royal Netherlands Air Force
What happens when sustainment stops being a service and becomes a partnership?
-
![Lockheed’s deal to triple PAC-3 MSE production opens doors to portfolio boost]()
Lockheed’s deal to triple PAC-3 MSE production opens doors to portfolio boost
The framework agreement with the US Department of Defense would see Lockheed Martin increase production capacity from 600 to 2,000 interceptors per year.
