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2022-04-03

Full-Size SeaGuardian Makes a Splash in Qatar

“SeaGuardian provides persistent multi-domain situational awareness over land, sea and undersea, which is vital to our partners in the Middle East region,” said GA-ASI Senior Director of Strategic Communications & Marketing C. Mark Brinkley. “SeaGuardian is a critical security tool, and GA-ASI is proud to build on our relationship with Qatar by putting the aircraft on display at DIMDEX.”

SeaGuardian was included as part of the GA-ASI display due to the strong global and regional interest in the MQ-9B line. SeaGuardian is the maritime version of GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian. According to reports, the Qatar government has shown an interest in procuring MQ-9B to support their national security and defence.

The MQ-9B line of UAS provides industry-leading endurance and interoperability with allied partners. What differentiates SeaGuardian is its advanced maritime Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability, which features a multi-mode maritime surface search radar with Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar imaging mode, an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capabilities, and a High-Definition, Full-Motion Video sensor equipped with optical and infrared cameras.

The same SeaGuardian aircraft on displayed at DIMDEX was used several months ago as part of a five-week demonstrations series with the UK Royal Air Force. The flights showcased SeaGuardian’s array of maritime capabilities, including ASW tasking and manned-unmanned teaming with an RAF P-8 aircraft. The UAS flew extensively in UK-controlled airspace, building the foundation for acceptance of unmanned aircraft operating routinely in unsegregated airspace.

The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) also recently approved a point-to-point domestic flight of an unmanned aircraft that utilised the UK’s airway structure. GA-ASI flew its MQ-9B SeaGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) from Lincolnshire, England to Moray, Scotland. The RPA flew from Royal Air Force (RAF) Waddington to RAF Lossiemouth, and the SeaGuardian flight was controlled by NATS, the UK’s civilian Air Navigation Service Provider. Protector RG Mk1 is the RAF’s designation for the RPA they have ordered from GA-ASI based on the MQ-9B.

In addition to the maritime patrol radar, AIS and ASW capabilities, the SeaGuardian includes an Electronic Support Measures (ESM) payload integrated into the aircraft winglets. The ESM payload provides detection, identification, and geolocation of RF emitters and is valuable for long-range ISR missions.

Cross-domain Capabilities

The maritime variant of MQ-9B, SeaGuardian, can be configured with cross-domain capabilities for a vast range of maritime surveillance operations, including Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), HA/DR – Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief, Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement (Drug Trafficking, Illegal Immigration, Piracy, OMSI – Oceanic Maritime Security Initiative) and Airborne Counter Mine Capability (Developmental).

Designed to operate for over 40,000 hours, MQ-9B SeaGuardian has been the mainstay for decades as it offers a significantly lower total operating cost and requires half the manpower.

Furthermore, the aircraft is designed from the ground up to meet rigorous NATO STANAG 4671 standards. The SeaGuardian is also controlled by Certifiable Ground Control Station (GCS) and is provisioned for GA-ASI’s state-of-the-art Detect and Avoid (DAA) system – important technologies for operating in segregated and non-segregated airspace.

MQ-9B SeaGuardian provides the ability to communicate with manned aircraft and safely share the same airspace, making it an unparalleled option for defence and civil operations.

GA-ASI, an affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven RPA systems, radars, electro-optic, and related mission systems, including the Predator RPA series and the Lynx Multi-mode Radar. With more than six million flight hours, GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent flight that enables situational awareness and rapid strike. The company also produces a variety of ground control stations and sensor control/image analysis software, offers pilot training and support services, and develops meta-material antennas.

MQ-9B has garnered significant interest from customers throughout the world. The Australian Defence Force selected SkyGuardian under Project Air 7003, and the Belgian Ministry of Defense has also signed a contract for the aircraft.

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