40,000 Hours of Simulated Wear and Tear Test the Future Drone's Mettle

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc passed a "major milestone" in their development of the MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft, completing the "1st lifetime" of fatigue testing successfully.

The test is is equivalent to about 40,000 operating hours in real-world service, showing that the Bravo model of the MQ-9 has what it takes to go the distance when pressed into service.The testing is part of the aircraft certification to the NATO standard STANAG 4671, where the design is put through 3 simulated lifetimes of wear and tear.

With the fatigue test successfully completed, General Atomics can send out the MQ-9B fleet knowing that hidden structural failures and problematic recalls have all been sussed out early on in the program. The results will be used in the certification and documentation process, with the dissected parts being helpful in designing maintenance, inspection, and replacement criteria for aircraft in service. The MQ-9B is "GA-ASI’s most advanced RPA and includes the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian models", as well as its lightly modified British cousin, the Protector RG Mk 1.

“Full-scale fatigue testing is an integral part of validating the airframe design and a key input to the certification of the airframe prior to going into service,” said Chris Dusseault, Vice President of MQ-9B in Europe. “The completion of the fatigue test builds confidence for our MQ-9B customers that the SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian airframe meets the stringent design rigor and is a mature system at Entry into Service.”

FMI: www.ga-asi.com