Page 12 - ADT MAY-JUNE 2022 Online Magazine

one BT, seven DIFAR, and two DICASS buoys to initiate prosecu-
tion and continuously track a MK-39 EMATT (Expendable Mobile
ASW Training Target) over a three-hour period. Target track was
generated using General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada’s
industry-leading UYS-505 Sonobuoy Processing Systems. GA-ASI
is developing this first-of-its-kind capability for its new MQ-9B
SeaGuardian UAS in partnership with the U.S. Navy under a
Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with Naval
Air Systems Command. [ UNMANNED SYSTEMS ]

“This demonstration is a first for airborne ASW. The successful
completion of this testing paves the way for future development
of more Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities from our MQ-9s,”
said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “We look forward to
continuing collaboration with the U.S. Navy as they explore inno-
vative options for distributed maritime operations in the undersea
domain.” GA-ASI first demonstrated a sonobuoy remote processing
capability in 2017 from an MQ-9A. Since then, GA-ASI has added a
Sonobuoy Management & Control System (SMCS) to monitor and
control deployed sonobuoys and developed a pneumatic sonobuoy
dispenser system (SDS) capable of safely carrying and deploying
10 U.S. Navy compliant ‘A’ size or 20 ‘G’ size sonobuoys per pod.

The MQ-9B SeaGuardian has four wing stations available to carry
up to four (4) SDS pods, allowing it to carry and dispense up to
40 ‘A’ size or 80 ‘G’ size sonobuoys, and remotely perform ASW
anywhere in the world.
In a standard Maritime ISR and ASW configuration, SeaGuardian’s
endurance exceeds 18 hours, encompassing a mission radius of
1200 nautical miles with eight hours of on-station time for sub-
marine prosecution, providing a low-cost complement to manned
real-time motion detection to locate a subject aircraft for manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) operations.
when visibility or weather conditions are poor,”
McGillis added. “We have already received orders for this MQ-9B SeaGuardian
ASW capability from two separate foreign customers and antici-
Several companies are rather developing or pates demand to be extremely strong for the MQ-9B SeaGuardian
upgrading their existing systems to meet the with its high-end maritime capabilities and low-cost relative to
customer demands. legacy manned maritime platforms,” Alexander said. In 2019, the
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems then Trump administration had approved the sale of four MQ-9B
recently completed development and test of “weapons-ready” unmanned aircraft to Taiwan for an estimated
what they claim is the world’s first self-contained value of US$600 million. It is understood that Taipei will go for the
Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability for maritime version of MQ-9B.
an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). GA-ASI
said it successfully demonstrated an ‘A’ size
sonobuoy carriage, release, process and con- The EU Active with EMSA
trol from a company-owned MQ-9A Block 5 on The European Union (EU) has also become increasingly active in
a U.S. Navy Pacific test range. Using a SATCOM ensuring a secure global maritime domain. This in particular involves
link, GA-ASI remotely processed bathyther- combating threats posed by illicit activities, such as piracy against
mal and acoustic data from deployed ‘A’ size ships, drug trafficking, smuggling and trafficking in human beings,
Directional Frequency Analysis and Recording or illegal fishing, as well as by natural disasters, climate change,
(DIFAR-AN/SSQ-53G), Directional Command or conflict in and around coastal regions. The EU Maritime Safety
Activated Sonobuoy System (DICASS-AN/ Agency (EMSA) recently announced that it would buy Remotely
SSQ-62F) and Bathythermograph (BT-AN/ Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for 20 million euros. So far, the
SSQ-36B) sonobuoys and accurately gener- EU Commission probably has spent at least 500 million euros
ated a target track in real time from the Laguna on the use of drones since 2017 for maritime safety. The French
Flight Operations Facility located at Yuma administration has also requested the EMSA to establish a multi-
Proving Grounds. purpose maritime surveillance operation, having the Navy (Marine
Nationale) and customs (Douanes) as the operation's strategic
The MQ-9A Block 5 successfully deployed and tactical leaders.

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