General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA ASI) has successfully completed maritime test flights along the Southern California coast on September 11. These flights utilized the MQ-9B SeaGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), marking a significant milestone as the first MQ-9B specifically configured for surveillance operations over open water. This demonstration showcased the MQ-9B’s robust capabilities in various maritime environments.
“The SeaGuardian’s debut exhibited persistent situational awareness within the maritime domain for our clients,” stated Linden Blue, CEO of GA-ASI. The SeaGuardian is essentially an MQ-9B SkyGuardian, tailored for maritime Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
The recent test flight highlighted the versatility of the SeaGuardian for different maritime tasks. These include surface search, subsurface search, littoral surveillance, anti-piracy efforts, and search and rescue missions. The MQ-9B is designed to operate in all weather conditions and adheres to STANAG 4671 standards, which are essential for NATO Airworthiness type certification for unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Its advanced collision-avoidance radar further supports flexible operations within civil airspace, including compliance with ICAO regulations.
Equipped with a variety of sophisticated onboard sensors, the aircraft features the GA-ASI Lynx Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Raytheon Intelligence & Space’s SeaVue Expanded Mission Capability (XMC) radar, and the Multi-Spectral Targeting System. Additionally, it includes a Leonardo Electronic Support Measure (ESM)/Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) SAGE 750, a Shine Micro Automatic Identification System (AIS), a sonar buoy receiver, and a General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada sonobuoy processor.
