OSHKOSH, Wis. (July 26, 2022) – McCauley Propeller Systems announced today that its newest unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) propeller for General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), a leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), has successfully achieved certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
McCauley Propeller Systems is a division of Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company.
“This exciting milestone and the success of our UAV propeller program are the result of a decades-long relationship and collaboration between the McCauley and GA-ASI teams,” said John Dandurand, vice president and general manager, McCauley Propeller Systems. “Together, we worked on the design and development to ensure the highest quality propeller.”
Specially-designed propeller supports multi-mission possibilities
GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian®, equipped with McCauley’s 4-blade propeller, are designed to deliver Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) around the globe. MQ-9B is part of a family of GA-ASI systems that has achieved more than seven million flight hours over 30 years, supporting operations worldwide, from the battlefield to environmental and humanitarian efforts. SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian® are designed to fly over the horizon via satellite communications for up to 40 hours (depending on configuration) in all types of weather and safely integrate into civil airspace, enabling joint forces and civil authorities to deliver real-time situational awareness anywhere. 
In addition to the SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian®, McCauley has worked closely with GA-ASI on customized propeller design, production and support for GA-ASI’s MQ-9A Reaper.
“Through investments in the latest technologies and engineering, we are propelling the next generation of McCauley products and aftermarket solutions,” said Dandurand. “This is a continuation of our commitment to innovation in the general aviation, special missions and UAV markets, in addition to new emerging technologies, including both hybrid-electric and electrical vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL).”
The certification of McCauley’s UAV propeller for GA-ASI’s MQ-9B marks one of the latest landmarks for the company. In 2022, certification of the new Beechcraft King Air 300 series propeller is expected.
For more information, visit https://mccauley.txtav.com.
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About McCauley Propeller Systems
McCauley is one of the world's largest full-line propeller manufacturers, with more than 500 models available.
With more than 80 years of design and manufacturing experience, McCauley continues to be an aviation pioneer, with a commitment to innovation in the general aviation, special missions and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) markets, in addition to new emerging technologies, including both hybrid-electric and electrical vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL). Historically, our propellers are FAA certified as original equipment for aircraft built by Textron Aviation, British Aerospace, Fairchild, Grumman, Jetstream, Piper, Stoddard Hamilton and many others. Our product lines have always served a wide range of markets: commercial, military, agricultural and commuter airlines, as well as personal and business aviation. McCauley propellers are in the field on more than 350,000 aircraft around the world – a testimony to our continuing commitment to excellence. For more information, visit www.mccauley.txtav.com.
About Textron Aviation
We inspire the journey of flight. For more than 95 years, Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable and flexible flight.
For more information, visit www.txtav.com | www.defense.txtav.com | www.scorpionjet.com.
About Textron
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.
SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian are registered trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Media Contact:
Brian Kruse
+1.316.517.5508
bkruse@txtav.com
txtav.com