GA-ASI Demonstrates Small Glide Munition Launched from Gray
Stay informed with our
free newsletters

GA-ASI Demonstrates Small Glide Munition Launched from Gray Eagle ER

GE-ER's Altitude Enables Longer Strike Range for SGMs

A U.S. Army MQ-1C ER Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) manufactured by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) performed a flight demonstration using a Dynetics GBU-69B Small Glide Munition (SGM) on August 21-22. The SGM is a lightweight munition with increased effective range.

“The GE-ER operates at an altitude that provides an advantage when using stand-off munitions,” said David R. Alexander, president, GA-ASI. “The reduced weight of the SGM allows the UAS to carry more munitions per aircraft.”

The demonstration was conducted at a military test range in California in collaboration with the U.S. Army and Dynetics using a GBU-69B SGM installed onto a GE-ER. When launched from the GE-ER at maximum altitude, the glide weapon can reach extended ranges, which means it can effectively engage threats in a multi-domain operations environment while staying out the engagement zones of threat weapons.

Military Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) - Market and Technology Forecast to 2032

Military Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) - Market and Technology Forecast to 2032

Market forecasts by Region, Class, Type, and End-User. Country Analysis, Market and Technology Overview. Opportunities Analysis, and Leading Company Profiles

Download free sample pages More information

“The increased standoff range of the SGM enhances Gray Eagle ER’s survivability and mission effectiveness when operating in contested airspace,” said Alexander.

GE-ER is a long-range variant of the U.S. Army’s Gray Eagle UAS. It provides the U.S. Army with increased endurance, more payload capacity to support future mission tasking, and considerable improvements in system reliability and maintainability.


Publishdate:
Nov 21, 2019

Hypersonic Innovation Conference 2025

Hypersonic Innovation Conference 2025

Huntsville, AL
Nov 12 - 13, 2025

View agenda
Directed Energy Symposium 2025

Directed Energy Symposium 2025

National Harbor, MD
Sep 17 - 18, 2025

View agenda