Trillium Gimbals
Wolf Advanced Technology
Honeywell Aerospace HGuide i700
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc

GA-ASI & Partners Achieve Crewed-Uncrewed Teaming in Successful Flight Test

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Lockheed Martin and L3Harris demonstrated crewed-uncrewed teaming in a flight test connecting an F-22 and MQ-20 Avenger using BANSHEE datalinks, Pantera radios & open radio architectures By Olivia Hannam / 20 Nov 2025
Follow DA

On October 21, 2025, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), Lockheed Martin, and L3Harris Technologies collaborated on a flight test.

The demonstration successfully achieved crewed-uncrewed teaming between an F-22 Raptor fighter jet and a GA-ASI MQ-20 Avenger® unmanned jet.

The effort integrated L3Harris’ BANSHEE™ Advanced Tactical Datalinks with its Pantera Software-Defined Radios (SDRs) via Lockheed Martin’s open radio architectures, all integrated and shared from an F-22 Raptor.

Two L3Harris SDRs supported the demonstration. The first SDR was installed into the General Atomics MQ‑20 Avenger, and the second was integrated in the Lockheed Martin F‑22 Raptor. Through the Pilot Vehicle Interface (PVI) tablet and the F‑22’s GRACE module, the system provided end‑to‑end communications, enabling the F‑22 command and control of the MQ‑20 in flight.

The collaborative demonstration showcased non-proprietary, U.S. government-owned communications capabilities and the ability to fly, transition, and re-fly flight hardware that is core to the Open Mission Systems and skills based unmanned autonomy ecosystem.

The demonstration took place at the Nevada Test and Training Range and is part of an ongoing series of flight demonstrations performed using internal research and development funding to showcase “the art of the possible” between manned and unmanned teaming.

To learn more, visit the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc Partner Hub: Innovation Partner Hub
Posted by Olivia Hannam Olivia is an Editor and Copywriter at Defense Advancement. She graduated with First-Class Honours in History from the University of Exeter, where she developed a strong passion for research and clear communication. Since joining DA in 2025, Olivia’s focus lies in producing insightful content that highlights the latest developments and innovations shaping the defense sector, with a particular interest in naval technology and maritime defense. Connect

More from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc

GA-ASI & Spirit Defense Partner to Scale Autonomous Fighter Production
GA-ASI & Spirit Defense Partner to Scale Autonomous Fighter Production

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and Spirit Defense have partnered to manufacture fuselages for the U.S. Air Force's modular FQ-42 Collaborative Combat Aircraft, significantly accelerating advanced uncrewed fighter production capacity and resilience

Oct 26, 2026
GA-ASI Flight Tests Advanced SNC ESM System on Gray Eagle UAS for Long-Range Sensing
GA-ASI Flight Tests Advanced SNC ESM System on Gray Eagle UAS for Long-Range Sensing

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems completes successful flight testing of SNC's electronic support measures system on the MQ-1C Gray Eagle ER, boosting U.S. Army long-range detection and survivability outside hostile threat zones

Oct 16, 2026
Arizona Army National Guard & GA-ASI Partner for First Gray Eagle 25M UAS Unit
Arizona Army National Guard & GA-ASI Partner for First Gray Eagle 25M UAS Unit

The Arizona Army National Guard will become the first unit to operate General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Gray Eagle 25M unmanned aircraft systems, with eight aircraft scheduled for delivery in September 2027

Oct 12, 2026
GA-ASI Honors Small Businesses With New Supplier Quality Recognition Program
GA-ASI Honors Small Businesses With New Supplier Quality Recognition Program

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems launches its Supplier Quality Recognition program, honoring high-performing small business partners for outstanding quality, leadership, and continuous improvement in uncrewed aircraft support

Oct 07, 2026
GA-ASI & U.S. Navy Demonstrate Collaborative Autonomous Mission Planning
GA-ASI & U.S. Navy Demonstrate Collaborative Autonomous Mission Planning

GA-ASI and the U.S. Navy have successfully demonstrated collaborative autonomous mission planning using the MQ-20 Avenger, advancing multi-aircraft coordination and real-time decision-making against complex threats

Oct 06, 2026
GA-ASI & SoftBank Test Aerial Disaster Relief Communications System
GA-ASI & SoftBank Test Aerial Disaster Relief Communications System

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and SoftBank successfully flight test a new airborne communications payload designed to provide emergency cellular relay coverage in disaster-stricken areas

Oct 02, 2026

THE WEEKLY eBRIEF

The latest defense technology news, straight to your inbox.

Get our weekly roundup of technology developments, new products and industry news.

By subscribing, you agree to receive the weekly DA eBrief newsletter from EchoBlue Ltd. Unsubscribe at any time using the link in every email. See our Privacy Notice.

Advancing Defense Capability Through Strategic Collaboration Defense Advancement works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive defense capabilities forward.