The US manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI), is continuously expanding the range of applications for its drones.
As the company writes in a press release, it has successfully conducted a series of flight tests with sensors for electronic intelligence (ELINT), communications intelligence (COMINT) and Link-16 payload in California in preparation for the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022 exercise. According to the announcement, the sensors were integrated by GA-ASI into the MQ-9B SeaGuardian unmanned aerial vehicle, which is to be deployed on RIMPAC 22. Until now, the company's drones were primarily designed for operations over land. Recently, GA-ASI has also been working on possible applications for the navy.
According to the manufacturer, the SeaGuardian has intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities specifically for the maritime sector. These include a maritime multimode radar for surface search, an AIS (Automatic Identification System) receiver, submarine hunting capabilities and a high-resolution full-motion video sensor with optical and infrared cameras. The broad sensor mix recently tested in California is particularly suitable for detecting submarines, the company announced on request. This means that it is possible to detect the radio traffic of underwater vessels using COMINT. The MQ-9B can also be used to monitor sonar buoys.
According to the manufacturer, the sensors are housed in the structure of the aircraft and not in an external pod. This reduces weight and eliminates the need for weapon stations. The Japanese Coast Guard has already ordered the SeaGuardian for use at sea. Its utilisation is scheduled to start in October. According to reports, GA-ASI is also offering the unmanned aircraft to the German Navy for use.
RIMPAC is one of the world's largest international maritime exercises, involving more than 40 ships and 150 aircraft from 27 partner nations. The 2022 exercise is scheduled to take place in Hawaii and Southern California from the end of June to the beginning of August. According to media reports, Germany is also taking part in the exercise, although not with a ship.
The flight tests near Palmdale and Edwards Air Force Base reportedly took place from 20 April to 9 June. The SeaGuardian's ELINT payload was supplied by Sierra Nevada Corporation, while the COMINT payload was supplied by L3Harris Technologies, GA-ASI writes. SeaGuardian is the maritime version of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian.
Lars Hoffmann
English
As our politicians have so far torpedoed such options for fundamental reasons, we should now - in order not to lose any more precious time - think about a purchase solution. And the navy would regain an airborne option that it has lost since the BR 1150 Atlantic SIGINT was decommissioned.