Spain Welcomes the Last MQ-9A Block 5 RPA from GA-ASI
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has successfully completed the delivery of the final two MQ-9A Block 5 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) along with a Ground Control Station (GCS) to the Spanish Air Force on November 23, 2020. This marks the completion of a significant Foreign Military Sales program involving four aircraft and three GCSs.
The new MQ-9s will enhance the operational capabilities of the 233rd Squadron stationed at Talavera la Real Air Base near Badajoz, Spain.
Prior to the final delivery, acceptance test procedures (ATP) were conducted at GA-ASI’s Gray Butte Flight Operations Facility near Palmdale, California, on September 29, 2020. These tests were overseen by the U.S. Air Force MQ-9 System Program Office (SPO) on behalf of Spain’s Directorate General for Armament and Materiel (DGAM) procurement team, adapting to COVID-19 protocols.
The successful completion of the ATPs, combined with the integration of System 1 by the Spanish Air Force in Badajoz, led to the issuance of an Airworthiness Military Type Certificate for the aircraft. This certification is a significant milestone, as it is the first awarded for the MQ-9A Block 5. It ensures that the entire system, including maintenance operations, is safe for personnel both in the air and on the ground. Moreover, it is a pivotal requirement for operating within national airspace.
“We take great pride in our collaboration with the Spanish Air Force,” stated Tommy Dunehew, Vice President of International Strategic Development for GA-ASI. “The confidence shown by Spanish authorities in the MQ-9, evidenced by this certification, is highly appreciated. We are excited to see the system actively supporting Spain’s national Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) objectives.”
This Airworthiness Military Type Certificate is a landmark achievement, representing the first acquisition of the MQ-9A Block 5 by an international partner. Other key milestones for this program include the initial delivery of MQ-9A Block 5 aircraft to the Spanish Air Force at the end of 2019 and the commencement of its first flight in January 2020. The 233rd Squadron has accumulated nearly 300 flight hours with its MQ-9A Block 5 aircraft and is diligently advancing the skills of its crew and maintenance personnel as they approach the declaration of Initial Operational Capability.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), a division of General Atomics, stands out as a premier designer and manufacturer of reliable Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, advanced radars, and integrated mission systems, including the Predator RPA series and Lynx Multi-mode Radar. With a track record of over six million flight hours, GA-ASI delivers long-endurance, mission-ready aircraft equipped with sensor and data link systems essential for sustained operations that enhance situational awareness and enable rapid strike capabilities.
