GA-ASI, Schwarz to Integrate Voice Comms on Reapers

Photo courtesy Wikipedia

By Priya Potapragada



General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. and Rhode and Schwarz, a communications systems manufacturing company, have signed a teaming agreement to incorporate air traffic control radios on Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper UAS for a future flight demonstration.



The agreement allows both companies to add more German and European payloads into the Predator-series aircraft. The Rhode & Schwarz air traffic control radios and General Atomics’ Predator are being developed in a way that fits in with the certifications requirements of NATO customers, including STANAG 4671 compliance.

 

“We are continuing to integrate German and European payloads and communications systems into our aircraft while ensuring compliance with airworthiness standards,” said Linden P. Blue, CEO, GA-ASI. “Rohde and Schwarz’s expertise in the design, development, and production of radio communications systems that carry airworthiness certifications will bring us one step closer to achieving this goal.”



The first flight test of Predator B with a single R&S MR6000A radio system is scheduled for later this year at GA-ASI’s Gray Butte Flight Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif. The flight test will showcase the beyond-line-of-sight communications path and radio relay communication to dismounted soldiers if resources allow it to be a part of the demonstration.