SAN DIEGO – 20 March 2025 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), a frontrunner in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, has acquired the prestigious EMAR/FR 145 Maintenance Organization Approval for component services from the French Military Continuing Airworthiness Authority, DSAE. This accomplishment underscores GA-ASI’s commitment to exceptional safety standards, regulatory compliance, and operational proficiency in military aviation.
The EMAR framework consists of a series of regulations derived from commercial aviation guidelines (FAA/EASA) aimed at ensuring airworthiness for European military aircraft. It establishes a unified airworthiness system recognized by military airworthiness authorities worldwide. EMAR/FR 145 certification empowers maintenance entities to perform critical upkeep tasks while ensuring strict adherence to safety, dependability, and documentation regulations.
GA-ASI’s EMAR/FR 145 certification permits the organization to issue EMAR Form 1s (Return to Service documentation) for components serviced by the accredited maintenance provider, thereby certifying the safety and airworthiness of the equipment. This acknowledgment pertains to GA-ASI’s servicing operations at its facilities in Poway and Adelanto, California, covering CAT C (component maintenance) services.
“This certification represents a significant milestone for GA-ASI, enhancing the organization’s ability to better serve global clients, especially military operators of our MQ-9A and MQ-9B UAV platforms,” stated Sam Richardson, GA-ASI’s Vice President of Sustainment. “Leveraging the EMAR/FR 145 certification streamlines the company’s processes, reduces costs, and expedites future airworthiness initiatives, since numerous potential clients will recognize this certification without requiring a full, independent validation process.”
By obtaining EMAR/FR 145 approval, GA-ASI further illustrates its ability to meet the stringent demands of the international defense industry. The acknowledgment of this framework guarantees that GA-ASI can expand its operations and deliver exceptional, compliant maintenance services to international clients, ultimately facilitating the company’s growth in global markets.
This certification provides significant operational and fiscal benefits to both GA-ASI and its customers. For GA-ASI, the approval decreases potential oversight costs by capitalizing on the DSAE Audit Team’s monitoring efforts, allowing for a more efficient and cost-effective certification process for future non-French EMAR clients. For customers, the EMAR/FR 145 certification offers a globally acknowledged framework, simplifying the maintenance certification process. The mutual recognition agreements between EMAR and non-EMAR nations enable prospective clients to leverage GA-ASI’s French approval, saving time and resources compared to pursuing a comprehensive certification approach.
