MQ-9B flies with Saab LoyalEye AEW radar pods for first time

The post describes the first flight of an MQ-9B configured as an airborne early warning (AEW) platform using Saab's podded LoyalEye radar, aiming to detect/track aircraft, drones, and missiles. Turning a MALE UAV into a persistent AEW sensor node is a notable new capability that could provide cheaper, longer-endurance air surveillance than manned AWACS for cruise-missile/OWA-drone defense.