DUBAI - General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is in talks with Saudi Arabia on a potential sale of up to 130 MQ-9B drones and as many as 200 Gambit collaborative combat aircraft, which would be the firm's biggest Middle East deal. GA-ASI President David Alexander said at the Dubai Airshow that the package includes plans for significant production localization in the kingdom if large quantities are ordered.

The YFQ-42, GA's prototype for the U.S. Air Force's CCA program and part of the Gambit family, was displayed in Dubai and will tour defense shows in Qatar and Saudi Arabia early next year. Alexander said several regional states are interested in CCA, citing a recent U.S. test in which an F-22 pilot used a tablet to control a drone.

Separately, Alexander said the United Arab Emirates' long delayed MQ-9B maritime anti-submarine deal is again moving forward after conditions were lifted, with an offer still on the table that includes five EDGE weapons.

Source: Breaking Defense
Associated URL: https://breakingdefense.com/2025/11/gas-alexander-saudis-could-buy-up-to-200-cca-drones-in-addition-to-mq-9s/

MOSCOW - Russia is outfitting its Orion medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned air vehicles (UAV)s with the Kh-BPLA laser-guided missiles. The Kh-BPLA missile was developed by the Instrument Design Bureau (KBP).

The Orion UAV was developed by the Kronstadt Group. Kh-BPLA combines components from the Kornet anti-tank missile and the Krasnopol laser-guided artillery shell. The Kh-BPLA features semi-active laser guidance system and a range of 2 to 8 kilometers.

Russia has used Orion MALE UAV in operations over Ukraine.

Source: UNITED24
Associated URL: https://united24media.com/latest-news/russia-retrofits-its-orion-predator-like-drone-with-laser-guided-missiles-13542
Author: Ivan Khomenko 

DUBAI AIRSHOW - On October 31, 2025, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) completed its "third lifetime" of full-scale fatigue (FSF) testing for the MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). Completion of FSF testing for the third and final lifetime includes a total of 120,000 operating hours (40,000+ flight hours per aircraft life) for the RPA and is a key milestone in validating the design of the airframe. The testing verifies the airframe structural integrity in support of certification to the NATO STANAG 4671 standard.

The aim of the testing is to identify any potential structural deficiencies ahead of fleet usage and assist in developing inspection and maintenance schedules for the airframe. Test results will be used as documentation for certification and will form the basis for in-service inspections of structural components.

"The completion of our full-scale fatigue test validates years of GA-ASI design and analysis efforts," said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. "The first two lifetimes simulated the operation of the aircraft under normal conditions, and the third intentionally inflicted damage to the airframe's critical components to demonstrate its ability to tolerate operational damage that could occur over the lifetime of the aircraft."

Testing was conducted from December 13, 2022, through October 31, 2025, at Wichita State University's National Institute for Aviation Research in Wichita, Kansas. The airframe tested was a production airframe purpose-built to support the test campaign.

MQ-9B is GA-ASI's most advanced RPA and includes the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian models as well as the new Protector RG Mk1 that is currently being delivered to the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force (RAF). In addition to the RAF, GA-ASI has MQ-9B procurement contracts with Belgium, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, Poland, India, Denmark, and the U.S. Air Force in support of the Special Operations Command. MQ-9B has also been featured in various U.S. Navy exercises, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, RIMPAC, and Group Sail.

Source: General Atomics
Associated URL: https://www.ga.com/ga-asi-completes-full-scale-fatigue-test-on-mq-9b