Soaring Innovation: GA-ASI Unveils Cutting-Edge Flight Computer in Gray Eagle ER Trials

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) successfully conducted the initial flight evaluations of the advanced flight computer for the MQ-1C Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). These evaluations occurred at GA-ASI’s El Mirage Flight Test Facility in El Mirage, California, as part of the U.S. Army-sponsored initiatives to enhance and modernize the GE-ER.

On September 13-14, 2022, GA-ASI effectively tested the newly developed Flight Control Module (FCM). The flights integrated the Eagle Flight Computer Assembly (EFCA), which delivers enhanced processing capability, increased memory, and a high-speed Ethernet connection. The upgraded avionics will facilitate sophisticated computing, Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), and automation, while incorporating redundancy and environmental improvements.

This sequence of flight evaluations also provides essential risk mitigation for the FCM-equipped Gray Eagle 25M UAS, along with advanced datalinks, avionics systems, communication upgrades, and HFE 2.0 and Brushless Generator functionalities, which are slated to commence flight testing in early 2023.

“In collaboration with our U.S. Army partners, we’re achieving significant advancements in getting GE-ER ready for effective Joint All Domain Operations (JADO) in contested scenarios,” remarked GA-ASI Vice President of Army Programs Don Cattell. “The finalization of GE-ER’s modernization promotes mission readiness, dependability, versatility, and success for the Army’s top priority Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Targeting, and Acquisition (RSTA) operations at every level of command.”