General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is integrating long-range standoff weapons onto its MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian drones. The company plans to fly a test version of the armed aircraft as early as 2026.
The upgrade turns the surveillance drone into a strike platform capable of holding enemy targets at risk from safe distances. This matters most for vast operating areas like the Western Pacific, where naval and air forces need reach without putting aircraft in danger.
General Atomics, the world’s largest builder of unmanned aircraft, announced the development in response to customer demand. Company President David R. Alexander said the MQ-9B’s payload capacity makes it the natural choice for adding long-range weapons to expand mission capabilities.
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Military forces operating in the Pacific face the challenge of covering huge stretches of ocean where threats can emerge suddenly. Existing aircraft must either get close to targets or rely on other systems. The armed MQ-9B solves this by carrying weapons that strike from a distance while the drone stays outside the enemy’s engagement zone.
The MQ-9B will carry extended-range precision weapons including the Lockheed Martin Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile, and the Kongsberg-Raytheon Joint Strike Missile. Engineers have completed performance analytics and are confident the drone can handle the weight and balance requirements while maintaining its long endurance.
In a typical mission, MQ-9B drones could launch from friendly bases across the Pacific, fly to holding points, and loiter for hours outside danger zones. When ordered to strike, they would release weapons in coordination with U.S. or allied operations, keeping the aircraft itself safe from enemy defences.
The weapons integration is still in development, with flight tests scheduled for next year. Engineers continue refining the technical aspects and operational concepts before the system becomes combat-ready.
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This upgrade transforms the MQ-9B from a surveillance aircraft into a long-range strike asset. Countries already operating or ordering the drone—including the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, India, Japan, Poland, and the U.S. Special Operations Command—will gain significant combat capability without needing new aircraft platforms.
