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MQ-20 Drone controlled from the cockpit of an F-22
On Oct. 21, 2025, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, L3Harris Technologies and the US Air Force (USAF), controlled a GA-ASI MQ-20 Avenger uncrewed aerial system (UAS) from the cockpit of an F-22 Raptor 5th Gen fighter while in flight.
According to a General Atomics Aeronautical news release, 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 Software Defined Radios (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.
During the flight out of Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, an F-22 Raptor pilot successfully used an open interface in the cockpit to send control directions to another airborne UAS.
“This effort represents Skunk Works driving a breakthrough in air combat capability, where single-seat aircraft command and control drones with simple and intuitive interfaces in the cockpit,” said OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, in a company news release.
Air Force’s family of systems vision
The F-22 pilot used a pilot vehicle interface (PVI) to command the drone to execute a specific mission profile. The PVI represents a flexible system to provide integration-ready capabilities for both current and future platforms.
The collaborative demonstration showcased non-proprietary, US 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.
This event demonstrates human-machine teaming capabilities and the future of air combat, today. Lockheed Martin has been focused on the transformative power of autonomous and AI-enabled operations in crewed and uncrewed systems for years, with particular focus on integrating autonomous drones with the F-22 and F-35.
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.
This flight event and other ongoing evaluations are crucial steps in realizing the Air Force’s family of systems vision. Human-machine teaming enhances situational awareness, interoperability, survivability and flexibility, unlocking a significant advantage for the US Air Force. By integrating the F-22 with other advanced systems we’re bolstering the capabilities of our warfighters, ensuring American airpower dominance.
Avenger ER
As with Predator B, Predator C MQ-20 Avenger was developed through the foresight and internal funding of GA-ASI. Its unique design and speed increases its survivability in higher threat environments and provides customers with an expanded quick-response armed reconnaissance capability. The first flight of Predator C occurred in April 2009. The current production version has an increased wingspan of 76 feet with additional fuel capacity resulting in an endurance increase to over 20 hours. The Avenger ER (Extended Range) first flew in October 2016 and completed an expanded flight test program in 2017.
The high-speed, multi-mission Avenger ER is a long-endurance, medium-to-high-altitude Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) system that can perform wide-area surveillance, time-sensitive strike missions over land or sea, and a host of other challenging military or civilian missions. The aircraft has much higher operational and transit speeds than current Predator B-series aircraft, resulting in quick response and rapid repositioning for improved mission flexibility and survivability.
Avenger is a highly advanced, next-generation RPA. The jet-powered aircraft is equipped with a commercial Pratt & Whitney turbofan engine capable of producing over 5,000 pounds of thrust, resulting in a runway length requirement of under 5,000 feet. The engine is designed for greater fuel economy and features class-leading fuel consumption components. Avenger can operate at speeds up to 400 KTAS, at an altitude of over 50,000 feet, and 20+ hours of endurance. Its significant wing hard point payload mounting capacity enables it to carry multiple sensors, while its internal weapons bay can house 3,000 pounds of precision munitions or larger sensor payloads.
The Avenger ER employs the same materials and avionics as Predator B and is likewise controlled from the same fully-interoperable GA-ASI Ground Control Stations (GCS) used for operating Predator-series aircraft.
Photo credit: Lockheed Martin and General Atomics
