
MQ-9 Reaper Gains Airborne Early Warning Capability in Landmark First Flight
General Atomics and Saab completed the first flight of an MQ-9 Reaper equipped with Saab's LoyalEye radar pod on May 19, 2025, giving the drone airborne early warning (AEW) capability. The configuration enables persistent low-altitude radar surveillance capable of detecting cruise missiles, loitering munitions, and combat aircraft, and is seen as a cost-effective solution to gaps in existing crewed AEW&C fleets.
Source: The War Zone










