The Sonobuoy Dispensing System Test Enhances MQ-9B SeaGuardian’s Anti-Submarine Warfare Capabilitiesra
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
An MQ-9B SeaGuardian with the Sonobuoy Dispensing System installed under the inner wing hardpoint. (All images credit: GA-ASI)
SAN DIEGO – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has successfully tested its advanced Sonobuoy Dispensing System (SDS) on the MQ-9B SeaGuardian, further cementing its status as the only remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) capable of carrying, deploying, and monitoring sonobuoys. The test, conducted from January 20-30, marks a major milestone in expanding the SeaGuardian’s role in anti-submarine warfare (ASW).
The SDS pods deployed multiple sonobuoys to conduct onboard thermal-depth and acoustic data processing. Utilizing Directional Frequency Analysis and Recording (DIFAR), Directional Command Activated Sonobuoy System (DICASS), and Bathythermograph sonobuoys, the SeaGuardian successfully detected, tracked, and analyzed underwater targets, collecting critical acoustic intelligence. The tests correlated ejection speed with stress/strain data to refine future deployment capabilities, further advancing this cutting-edge technology.
“This demonstration represents a major leap forward in unmanned capabilities and marks a major milestone in proving that an unmanned aircraft can perform end-to-end persistent ASW operations,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “The success of this testing paves the way for enhanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities on the MQ-9B SeaGuardian. We look forward to continued collaboration with the U.S. Navy as they explore innovative solutions for distributed maritime operations in the undersea domain.”
The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) AIRWorks department played a key role in supporting and overseeing the development, ensuring that the system meets the evolving needs of naval warfighters. NAWCAD has partnered with GA-ASI in multiple ASW demonstrations, including the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in July 2024, demonstrating the increasing operational viability of unmanned ASW platforms.
SeaGuardian’s Expanding Role in ASW
Beyond its ASW capabilities, the MQ-9B SeaGuardian is a highly sophisticated UAV designed for multi-domain operations, including electronic warfare (EW). The platform boasts endurance ranging from 24 to 40 hours, depending on payload, and can cover a cruising distance of approximately 4,300 kilometers (2,322 nautical miles). Equipped with advanced sensors such as the Raytheon SeaVue XMC radar, GA-ASI Lynx Synthetic Aperture Radar, and Leonardo SAGE 750 electronic intelligence (ELINT) system, the SeaGuardian provides comprehensive maritime domain awareness.
GA-ASI first tested the SDS pods on an MQ-9A Block 5 in November 2020. More recently, the system was evaluated in February 2024 during an exercise with Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) at the Navy’s W-291 test range in Southern California, where a SeaGuardian deployed eight AN/SSQ-53 and two AN/SSQ-62 sonobuoys using a pneumatic ejection system developed by Italy’s AREA.
With these advancements, the MQ-9B SeaGuardian is poised to become an integral part of future ASW operations, working alongside manned platforms like the P-8A Poseidon to enhance maritime patrol and undersea surveillance.
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General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
