KUALA LUMPUR, Apr 21, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - Global Turbine Asia Sdn. Bhd. (“GTA” or the “Company”), a Malaysian-based engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (“MRO”) and support service provider serving military and civil operators in Malaysia, and a Certified Maintenance Centre (“CMC”) for Safran Helicopter Engines, today exchanged two Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) with Airbus Defence and Space (“Airbus DS”)and Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (“UPNM”), as well as a Note of Understanding (“NoU”) with Perbadanan Hal Ehwal Bekas Angkatan Tentera (“PERHEBAT”). The signings were witnessed by Yang Berhormat Dato’ Seri Haji Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin, Minister of Defence, Malaysia.


MoU exchange between Global Turbine Asia Sdn. Bhd. & Airbus Defence & Space, witnessed by YB Dato' Seri Haji Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin, Minister of Defence, MINDEF, Malaysia.


Note of Understanding between Global Turbine Asia Sdn. Bhd & Perbadanan Hal Ehwal Bekas Angkatan Tentera, witnessed by YB Dato' Seri Haji Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin, Minister of Defence, MINDEF, Malaysia accompanied by YBhg. Datuk Lokman Hakim bin Ali, Secretary General, MINDEF, Malaysia.

MoU exchange between Global Turbine Asia Sdn. Bhd. & Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia, witnessed by YB Dato' Seri Haji Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin, Minister of Defence, MINDEF, Malaysia.

The MoUs reflect GTA’s strategic focus on strengthening the aerospace and defence ecosystem through cross-border commercial cooperation, talent development, research partnerships and long-term capability building, aligned with evolving regional industry needs.

GTA’s MoU with Airbus DS will evaluate opportunities to develop Malaysia’s military aircraft MRO capabilities and assess GTA as a potential Industrial Collaboration Programme (“ICP”) beneficiary, which will advance local aerospace self-reliance, facilitateknowledge and capability transfer, and supply chain integration, pending approvals.

Through its MoU with UPNM, GTA aims to strengthen industry-academia collaboration in research, innovation, talent development, and technical services. Areas of cooperation may include joint R&D, training and postgraduate pathways, technical advisory services, workshops and centres of expertise, as well as potential industry-on-campus initiatives, subject to approvals and separate agreements where required.

GTA’s NoU with PERHEBAT supports the career transition of retiring Malaysian Armed Forces personnel and veterans by providing industrial training, workplace exposure, and potential employment opportunities. The collaboration includes job-skills alignment, programme monitoring, and joint initiatives aimed at enhancing the employability and well-being of Veteran Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (“ATM”).

Dato’ Nonee Ashirin Dato Mohd Radzi, Executive Chairman of Global Turbine Asia Sdn. Bhd., said, “These MoUs mark an important step in strengthening GTA’s role within the aerospace and defence ecosystem, not only as an engine support and MRO provider, but also as a long-term partner in capability development, talent cultivation and strategic collaboration.”

She added, “Together, these partnerships reflect our commitment to building a stronger, more resilient and future-ready platform for the industry.

About Global Turbine Asia Sdn Bhd

Global Turbine Asia Sdn Bhd (“GTA”) is an independent engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (“MRO”) and support service provider for military and civil engines in Malaysia. A Malaysian-based and a Certified Maintenance Centre (“CMC”) for Safran Helicopter Engines, GTA was established in 2010 and provides a range of engine support solutions including Support By The Hour, AOG and helpline support, technical assistance, spare parts and tooling, global support package, standard exchange, repair and overhaul, and training. Based at the Helicopter Centre, Malaysia International Aerospace Centre, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Subang, GTA also highlights certifications and approvals including DGTA Approved Maintenance Organization, CAAM Maintenance Organization Approval and EASA Part 145 Maintenance Organization Approval.

For more information, visit https://globalturbineasia.com/.

Issued By: Swan Consultancy Sdn. Bhd. on behalf of Global Turbine Asia Sdn. Bhd.

Distributed By: MNAIR PR Consultancy Sdn Bhd on behalf of Global Turbine Asia Sdn. Bhd.

For more information, please contact:
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Email: a.hakimi@swanconsultancy.biz

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SAN DIEGO, Apr 20, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has conducted a series of flight tests aimed at certifying the MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) for Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI). The flight tests began last year, and all planned testing was successfully completed in early April from GA-ASI's Flight Test & Training Center (FTTC) near Grand Forks, North Dakota, using a company-owned MQ-9B.

The FIKI flights build on earlier successful flight tests to evaluate flight characteristics with simulated ice shapes adhered to the aircraft as well as the aircraft's successful Cold Weather Validation and flights in the Arctic. FIKI certification will expand MQ-9B's abilities to provide all-weather surveillance capabilities for the many nations that have purchased the system for their military and civil support missions.

The tests were flown using GA-ASI Internal Research and Development funding.

"We've approached these flight tests with great rigor," said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. "GA-ASI became the first RPA developer to receive a Military Type Certificate for MQ-9B (RAF Protector) last year, and now we're taking steps toward certifying the platform for FIKI. It's taking the resolve of GA-ASI to get this done for our user base."

GA-ASI customers are looking for MQ-9B to operate in a full range of environmental conditions, from very hot to very cold, as well as icy conditions. One such customer is the Government of Canada, which has ordered 11 MQ-9B SkyGuardians®. The Canadian Directorate of Technical Airworthiness and Engineering Support, Canada's national military certification authority, was on site for portions of the flight test period and will use artifacts from the flights to certify MQ-9B to operate in FIKI conditions.

The MQ-9B SkyGuardian and its maritime variant, SeaGuardian®, are multi-mission, multi-domain RPA that can operate in cold weather conditions. MQ-9B aircraft are being flown by the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force, Belgian Defence, and the Japan Coast Guard. In addition to Canada, MQ-9B has been selected by Denmark, Poland, Germany, Taiwan, India, and the U.S. Air Force in support of the Special Operations Command. MQ-9B has also been featured in various U.S. Navy exercises, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, RIMPAC, and Group Sail.

About GA-ASI

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is the world's foremost builder of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Logging more than 9 million flight hours, the Predator® line of UAS has flown for over 30 years and includes MQ-9A Reaper®, MQ-1C Gray Eagle®, MQ-20 Avenger®, and MQ-9B SkyGuardian®/SeaGuardian®. The company is dedicated to providing long-endurance, multi-mission solutions that deliver persistent situational awareness and rapid strike.

For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com.

Avenger, EagleEye, Gray Eagle, Lynx, Predator, Reaper, SeaGuardian, and SkyGuardian are trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries.

GA-ASI Media Relations
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
ASI-MediaRelations@ga-asi.com
(858) 524-8101

SOURCE: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

HONG KONG, Mar 26, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) – CALB (03931.HK) rolled its pioneering 'R46 cylindrical battery' system off the production line at the Chengdu factory on March 25, an aviation power battery set to power the XPENG ARIDGE X3-F Land Aircraft Carrier flying car. 

The recently unveiled R46 cylindrical battery technology boasts an energy density of 360 Wh/kg, the highest-density solid-liquid hybrid cylindrical battery in the industry. It achieves an exceptional balance between high safety, high power density and high energy density, meets aviation-grade safety standards, and will be equipped in several of ARIDGE's flying car models.

The partnership between the two parties began in 2022, with CALB assisting ARIDGE in completing the world’s maiden flight of an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) flying car. Following rigorous validation, the reliability of CALB’s battery product has been fully verified. Building on this momentum, CALB assembled a team of top researchers to focus on the next-generation advanced R46 cylindrical battery system, tasked with addressing a range of scientific and technological challenges.

Taking the lead in collaborating with leading institutions including ARIDGE, CALB has been awarded support by the National Key R&D Program Project, further positioning the technologies at the forefront of global innovation in intrinsic safety and high-specific-energy aviation power batteries. Consequently, the two parties signed a deepened strategic cooperation agreement in April 2025, establishing an exclusive supply relationship for next-generation models.

From leading the National Key R&D Program focused on advanced R46 cylindrical battery system technology to achieving the mass production of flying car batteries, CALB is accelerating its expansion into forward-looking emerging sectors. The company's commercialization capability across diversified application scenarios continues to strengthen, opening new growth opportunities in the competition for next-generation energy technologies.

CALB Group Co., Ltd. https://en.calb-tech.com/ [03931.HK]

SAN DIEGO, Mar 25, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) was named the winner of two awards during Aviation Week's 21st annual Program Excellence Awards last week. GA-ASI's United Kingdom (UK) Protector Program was given the Special Projects Award, while its Japan COCO (Company-Owned, Company-Operated) Program won in the category of OEM System Sustainment.

"We're excited that these two important MQ-9B international programs have been recognized by Aviation Week," said GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue. "We're fortunate to have an incredible team of employees whose dedication and commitment to our customers is truly remarkable."

MQ-9B is GA-ASI's most advanced Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) system and includes the SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian® models, as well as the UK's Protector RG Mk1.

In 2025, GA-ASI achieved the first-ever Military Type Certificate (MTC) for the Royal Air Force's (RAF) Protector RG Mk1, passing a rigorous airworthiness assessment and verifying its safe operation without geographic restrictions. The global impact of the UK Protector MTC was recognized because it's a singular achievement that enables routine UAS operations in civil airspace from domestic RAF bases, drastically expanding its operational flexibility and reducing reliance on segregated ranges or overseas deployments. But more importantly, it serves as a proof of concept for future unmanned systems seeking full integration into regulated airspace and sets a precedent for allied and NATO forces worldwide.

In Japan, the MQ-9B SeaGuardian COCO Program has proven so successful that the aircraft that had been leased to Japan have now been converted to sales, with additional MQ-9Bs now on order. SeaGuardian has been used by Japan to deliver real-time situational awareness anywhere in the maritime domain - day or night. It is also the first RPA in its class to enable real-time search and patrol above and below the ocean's surface.

About GA-ASI

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is the world's foremost builder of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Logging more than 9 million flight hours, the Predator® line of UAS has flown for over 30 years and includes MQ-9A Reaper®, MQ-1C Gray Eagle®, MQ-20 Avenger®, MQ-9B SkyGuardian®/SeaGuardian®, XQ-67A, and YFQ-42A. The company is dedicated to providing long-endurance, multi-mission solutions that deliver persistent situational awareness and rapid strike.

For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com.

Avenger, EagleEye, Gray Eagle, Lynx, Predator, Reaper, SeaGuardian, and SkyGuardian are trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries.

GA-ASI Media Relations
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
ASI-MediaRelations@ga-asi.com
(858) 524-8101

SOURCE: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.