General Atomics

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems builds some of the most operationally significant unmanned aircraft in service today, including the MQ-1 Predator A, MQ-9 Reaper / Predator B, and the jet-powered Avenger / Predator C. These airframes log hours that rival manned fleets, and the ground crews supporting them need equipment built around the realities of UAV operations. Tronair manufactures General Atomics ground support equipment that covers the full operational cycle, from UAV towbars and towing dollies on the ramp to aircraft jacks and tripod stands for maintenance lifts.

Don't see the exact tool your operation requires? Tronair's engineering team develops custom and new ground support equipment for unique airframes and mission profiles. If your General Atomics fleet has a ground handling need that off-the-shelf equipment doesn't address, we can work with you to build a solution from the ground up.

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General Atomics Avenger (Predator C)

General Atomics Avenger (Predator C)
General Atomics MQ-1 (Predator A)

General Atomics MQ-1 (Predator A)
General Atomics MQ-9 (Predator B)

General Atomics MQ-9 (Predator B)

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GSE for an Airframe Without a Pilot Aboard

Unmanned aircraft change a few things about ground handling that traditional GSE catalogs don't always account for. There's no flight crew to call out tow signals, no one in the cockpit to monitor brake pressure during a push, and the airframe's center of gravity sits in places that surprise crews used to manned platforms. 

Tronair's General Atomics GSE accounts for those differences, with ground handling equipment configured around the actual operational profile of the MQ-1, MQ-9, and Avenger. Towing dollies stabilize the airframe during repositioning without putting stress on slim UAV nose gear. Tripod jacks for the UAV airframe match the documented jacking point loads. Maintenance stands fit the working clearances around the engine bay and sensor turret. 

Equipment that's been spec'd to the airframe lets ground crews focus on the mission rather than work around tooling that wasn't built for the aircraft. 

General Atomics GSE Categories at Tronair

Tronair's General Atomics catalog is organized around the equipment categories that ground crews and UAV maintenance teams reach for during pre-flight, post-flight, and scheduled servicing.

H3: Aircraft Jacks and Stands

Aircraft jacks and stands for UAV platforms support scheduled gear servicing, wheel and brake work, and airframe inspections. Tronair tripod jacks for the MQ-9 and Avenger are rated to the airframe's jacking point loads, with hard-chrome-plated cylinder bores, Skydrol-resistant seals, and factory-proof load testing at 150% of rated capacity. 

Columbus Jack, a Tronair company and the largest hydraulic jack supplier to the U.S. Department of Defense, ensures each meets military specification requirements for procurement and use.

H3: Ground Power Units for UAVs

UAV ground operations require ground power units for UAVs configured to the specific voltage, frequency, and current requirements of each airframe. Tronair GPUs support pre-flight system checks, payload power-up, datalink testing, and engine start sequences across General Atomics platforms. Diesel-driven and solid-state options are both available, with voltage configuration handled at the quote stage based on the destination operating environment.

Reach out to our team to scope what your operation needs.

Get Pricing on General Atomics GSE

Tronair has been working with military and government operators of unmanned platforms for years, and we know procurement timelines for defense GSE are different than commercial aviation. Send us your fleet composition, the operational base, and any specific compliance requirements, and our sales team will scope the General Atomics GSE you need, with the paperwork your contract requires. Contact Tronair today, or call 1-800-426-6301 to start the conversation. 

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FAQ About General Atomics Ground Support Equipment

  • Does Tronair General Atomics GSE come with MIL-SPEC documentation?

    Most of our General Atomics GSE meets military specification requirements, and documentation, including National Stock Numbers (NSNs), is provided where applicable. Columbus Jack, a Tronair company, is the largest hydraulic jack supplier to the U.S. Department of Defense, and that compliance heritage runs through the General Atomics catalog. Specify your documentation requirements at the quote stage.

  • How does GSE for unmanned aircraft differ from GSE for manned platforms?

    In several ways. UAV airframes have lower empty weights, slimmer landing gear, and ground-handling characteristics that aren't always intuitive for crews coming from manned-aircraft backgrounds. Tronair General Atomics GSE accounts for those differences, with equipment ratings, geometry, and operating procedures matched to the airframe documentation rather than assumed from manned-aircraft parallels. 

  • Is operator training available for crews new to UAV ground handling?

    Yes. Operation and service manuals ship with every Tronair unit, and our team can coordinate hands-on training at delivery for crews transitioning to General Atomics platforms. For larger fleet rollouts, we can also work with your training department to integrate GSE familiarization into the broader UAV ground crew curriculum.