MQ-9B’s Third Lifetime Test Completes the FSF Testing Process With a Total of 120,000 Hours

DUBAI AIRSHOW – 17 November 2025 – On October 31, 2025, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) completed its “third lifetime” of full-scale fatigue (FSF) testing for the MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). Completion of FSF testing for the third and final lifetime includes a total of 120,000 operating hours (40,000+ flight hours per aircraft life) for the RPA and is a key milestone in validating the design of the airframe. The testing verifies the airframe structural integrity in support of certification to the NATO STANAG 4671 standard.

The aim of the testing is to identify any potential structural deficiencies ahead of fleet usage and assist in developing inspection and maintenan

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