General Atomics is taking a major step towards delivering a European Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) - based on a mature US platform, assembled in Europe and equipped with European mission systems. The Group's US and German aviation companies will work together on this project.
The new aircraft is based on the US Air Force's YFQ-42A prototype, which is currently undergoing ground testing and is scheduled to make its inaugural flight this summer. The aircraft is being developed and built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) in San Diego, California. The adaptation of the European mission systems and production in Europe will be supported in the coming years by General Atomics' German affiliate, General Atomics AeroTec Systems GmbH (GA-ATS), based in Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich. The expertise of both companies in the production and development of aircraft will be utilized.
We’re eager to combine our uncrewed aircraft system expertise with the airborne sensor and weapons system expertise of the European defense industry, starting with our own affiliate GA Aerotec Systems GmbH in Germany,” said GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue.
GA-ASI is the world’s foremost builder of unmanned aerial systems, delivering more than 1,200 aircraft over three decades and supporting a net fleet operation approaching 9 million flight hours.
General Atomics AeroTec Systems is a German aviation company that manufactures, maintains and modernizes aircraft. The company maintains and modifies the Do228 multi-role aircraft, is currently producing the new Do228 NXT in small series and carries out maintenance work on NH90 helicopters for the German Armed Forces. GA-ATS also carries out engine overhauls on the TPE-331-10 engine, which is used in both the Do228 and the MQ-9A/B unmanned aircraft.
