New MQ-1C Gray Eagle prototype to be tested in Europe

A prototype of the latest version of the MQ-1C Gray Eagle will be headed to Europe soon for a series of demonstrations, according to the head of General Atomics’ aeronautics division.

General Atomics revealed its new “Gray Eagle 25M” variant — which adds an open mission system architecture, upgraded sensors and new comms links — on Monday during the Association of the US Army’s annual conference.

But while the first production aircraft will start flight tests in March 2023, the company doesn’t want to wait to see how the new configuration performs in operations and will send two prototype versions to US European Command next spring, Dave Alexander, president of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, told Breaking Defense on Monday.

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