GA-ASI Gray Eagle Surpasses 1 Million Flight Hours

SAN DIEGO,March 25,2021 --General Atomics Aeronautical Systems,Inc. (GA-ASI) announced today that the family of Gray Eagle Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) surpassed 1 million flight hours on March 16,2021,during U.S. Army flight operations.

This historic milestone is the latest accomplishment on a remarkable journey that started in March 2004 with the first flight of an early variant of the Gray Eagle UAS family called Army IGNAT. Since that first flight,GA-ASI and the U.S. Army have fielded over 250 Gray Eagle-type aircraft,including the new Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) aircraft. Over 80% of the 1 million flight hours were flown in support of deployed operations with a better than 90% Mission Capable Rate.

"This landmark event demonstrates the inherent value of our Gray Eagle systems for the warfighter," said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. "It also is a testament to the great partnership between GA-ASI and the U.S. Army,which have worked together to expand the capability of Gray Eagle so the system will continue to be a key enabler for today's mission and an enduring platform for tomorrow's Multi-Domain Operations (MDO)."

The GE-ER UAS is a 40-hour endurance aircraft with increased payload capacity,reliability and maintainability over the legacy MQ-1C Gray Eagle first fielded in 2009. On the dawn of the next million flight hours,GE-ER is being further enhanced under the U.S. Army's modernization program to incorporate leading-edge technology for standoff survivability,while expanding the payload capabilities to include Air Launched Effects (ALEs) and long-range sensors for stand-in effects. This MDO-ready UAS will be powered by a new 200-hp Enhanced Heavy Fuel Engine and dual 7.5kw brushless generators to enable the growing capabilities needed by commanders in the future MDO environment.

About GA-ASI

General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems,Inc. (GA-ASI),an affiliate of General Atomics,is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven,reliable remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) systems,radars,and electro-optic and related mission systems,including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. With more than six million flight hours,GA-ASI provides long-endurance,mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent flight that enables situational awareness and rapid strike. The company also produces a variety of ground control stations and sensor control/image analysis software,offers pilot training and support services,and develops meta-material antennas. For more information,visit www.ga-asi.com.

Lynx,Predator,SeaGuardian and SkyGuardian are registered trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems,Inc.

GA-ASI Media Relations

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems,Inc.

+1 (858) 524-8101

ASI-MediaRelations@ga-asi.com

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Gray Eagle Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)

Gray Eagle surpassed 1 million flight hours on March 16,2021 during U.S. Army flight operations.