The US Army has contracted General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to upgrade its MQ-1C Gray Eagle Extended Range unmanned aerial system with enhanced electronic intelligence (ELINT) capabilities, aimed at increasing its survivability in contested environments.
The upgrade will enhance the MQ-1C’s ability to detect and analyze enemy integrated air defense system (IADS), enabling the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform to operate outside threat ranges.
It will also improve the survivability of crewed aircraft operating alongside it in manned-unmanned teaming roles.
“Combining long-range detection with the range and persistence of the Gray Eagle platforms ensures that commanders always know when an adversary IADS is operating,” GA-ASI President David R. Alexander said.
“Gray Eagle’s open systems architecture makes this a simple but impactful upgrade.”
The announcement comes amid growing scrutiny over the aircraft’s ability to survive modern IADS, as it was originally designed during an era when the US was primarily engaged in counterinsurgency operations.
Recent conflicts have raised further concerns about the vulnerability of medium-altitude, long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms.
Iran’s reported success in shooting down multiple MQ-9 Reaper drones has added to doubts about the survivability of such systems in high-threat environments.
Electronic Intelligence
Unlike communications intelligence, which focuses on radio, telephone, and data transmissions, ELINT is concerned with non-communication electronic emissions, including radar signals, missile guidance systems, and electronic countermeasures.
To execute the upgrade, GA-ASI, in collaboration with the Capability Program Executive Office for Intelligence and Spectrum Warfare, will partner with Sierra Nevada Corporation to integrate advanced radar detection and signal collection technologies.
According to GA-ASI, the ELINT sensor can identify and geolocate critical threats, providing data essential for Joint Force operations.
In addition to ELINT, the aircraft has been configured with modernized communications intelligence, synthetic aperture radar/moving target indicator, and mobile ad hoc network radios in multiple demonstrations for the US Army.
Moreover, newer versions of the platform are under development, including the Gray Eagle 25M with enhanced capabilities, as well as a short takeoff and landing variant designed to operate from warships and austere environments.
