General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) revealed that the company is preparing its MQ-9B SeaGuardian and SkyGuardian remotely piloted aircraft to carry long-range standoff weapons.
Currently, engineers at the company are adapting the MQ-9B’s payload, stability, range, and other characteristics to support a new class of extended-range precision weapons.
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GA-ASI has completed performance analysis work and reports “confidence” in the MQ-9B’s ability to transport long-range weapons over extended distances while maintaining its endurance and on-station presence.
It is examining integration of weapons including the Lockheed Martin Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile, and the Kongsberg/Raytheon Joint Strike Missile, while also developing potential concepts of operation for these systems on the MQ-9B.
| The company plans a first flight of at least one such weapon as early as this year. |
GA-ASI president David R. Alexander said: “MQ-9B features extraordinary payload capacity, so it only makes sense to add to our mission sets with the ability to carry long-range weapons.”
The move responds to demand from naval and air operators for platforms able to hold targets at risk from significant distances, including across the large air and maritime spaces of the Western Pacific.
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By GlobalDataMQ-9B SeaGuardian is the maritime-focused variant of the SkyGuardian remotely piloted aircraft system, configured using “bolt-on/bolt-off” maritime sensors.
SeaGuardian can operate beyond line of sight via satellite for more than 30 hours, depending on configuration, in various weather conditions.
It is designed to operate in civil airspace and provide joint forces and civil authorities with real-time maritime situational awareness. The aircraft uses sensors such as a centreline wide-area maritime radar, an automatic identification system, electronic support measures, and a self-contained anti-submarine warfare mission kit.
SkyGuardian is designed to fly via satellite link for more than 40 hours, depending on configuration, in various weather conditions and to operate in civil airspace worldwide. It can connect with users’ other platforms, systems, and podded technologies to support multi-domain mission sets and real-time situational awareness.
The MQ-9B line also includes the Protector RG Mk1, which GA-ASI is delivering to the UK’s Royal Air Force.
GA-ASI holds MQ-9B procurement contracts with Belgium, Canada, Denmark, India, Japan, Poland, Taiwan, and the US Air Force in support of US Special Operations Command.
MQ-9B aircraft have participated in several US Navy exercises, including Northern Edge, RIMPAC, Integrated Battle Problem, and Group Sail.
Last month, Germany announced its decision to procure eight MQ-9B SeaGuardian remotely piloted aircraft from GA-ASI through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency.
