GA-ASI's Latest and Greatest Sees Testing in The Mediterranean

The Italian Air Force (ItAF) put one of their brand-new MQ-9A Block 5 Remotely Piloted Aircraft through its paces after a Foreign Military Sale.

The Italians already owned and operated a fleet of such aircraft that includes 4 Block 1 MQ-9As, with 2 Block 15 Mobile Ground Control Stations backing them up. The new aircraft included both a spiffy new Block 5 aircraft and a new Ground Station to operate it. The unites were tendered as a part of the Italian Air Force's Mid-Life Modernization update to the fleet of General Atomics uncrewed aircraft. The Block 5 improvements allow for a "significant increase in electrical power generation, auto takeoff and landing capability with improved landing gear and datalinks". They also include the newest iteration of the brand’s Lynx Multi-mode Radar.

“The Italian Air Force has long been a leader in using the MQ-9 Reaper to support a wide range of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions in Italy, over the Mediterranean, and in support of NATO operations,” said GA-ASI Vice President of International Strategic Development Jaime Walters. “The delivery of this new Block 5 and MGCS will help to update the Italian Air Force’s existing fleet.”

FMI: www.ga-asi.com