The First EagleEye Radar Rolls Off the GA-ASI Production Line

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has rolled the first EagleEye multi-mode radar off its production line. This cutting-edge radar system offers high-resolution, photographic-quality imagery, capable of penetrating clouds, rain, dust, smoke, and fog, with a significantly greater range than previous radars. The EagleEye radar is designed as a “drop-in” enhancement for the U.S. Army’s current Gray Eagle Extended Range Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and is also included in the initial configuration of the new Gray Eagle 25M (GE 25M) UAS, for which the Army National Guard has ordered 12 units.

“The EagleEye radar provides enhanced range and multi-mode capabilities tailored for the deep sensing needs of Multi-Domain Operations (MDO),” said Jeff Hettick, GA-ASI Vice President of Agile Mission Systems. “We are eager to deliver the EagleEye to our U.S. Army customer soon.”

Earlier this year, GA-ASI announced the development of a new Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) antenna and accompanying software for EagleEye, which extends the radar's range and enhances its mode capabilities. This increased range and optimized multi-mode performance enable the aircraft to operate safely outside the Weapons Effects Zone of most threat systems, contributing to the Stand-Off survivability and Stand-In effects of long-range sensors—key elements of the Gray Eagle 25M being developed for the U.S. Army.

Building on years of GA-ASI's pioneering expertise, the EagleEye multi-mode radar employs Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to deliver detailed imagery through adverse atmospheric conditions that would obscure traditional visual sensors. For the first time on the Gray Eagle platform, EagleEye introduces radar-based Full-Motion Video (FMV) capability, known as "Video SAR," allowing for live visual tracking of moving targets, even through dense cloud cover. GA-ASI has also enhanced target detection range using onboard real-time Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) software as part of the EagleEye development.

The EagleEye radar performs a range of functions, including Moving Target Indication (MTI), change detection, stripmap generation, and other precise data outputs for analysts, commanders, and operators, utilizing industry-standard data formats. Its Maritime Wide Area Search (MWAS) mode provides a dedicated maritime MTI capability for tracking and targeting vessels, supporting the U.S. Army's MDO mission, particularly within the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM). This mission is also crucial for operations in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, where maritime reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition are essential for achieving information dominance and overmatch.