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Bringing in the Deadly Predator
Primarily to be used for it’s Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, the Government of India and the United States have entered an agreement to provide the former 31 of these deadly Unmanned Armed Vehicle (UAV) Drones at a staggering $30 Billion deal. Let’s explore what are the features of these MQ-9B Drones also called The Reaper and The Predator B. We will explore it’s features through it’s 2 variants, The SkyGuradian and The SeaGuardian.
The Features of MQ-9B Drone
There are two variants for the Predator Drone, the first one is the
MQ-9B SeaGuardian: The Advanced Maritime Drone with Endless Capabilities
The MQ-9B SeaGuardian is a drone specifically designed for maritime surveillance, providing real-time situational awareness in any aspect of the maritime domain regardless of the time of the day. With advanced maritime Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, it is the first-class Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) that enables real-time search and patrol above and below the ocean surface.
The SeaGuardian has a range of 1200 nautical miles with a significant on-station time for submarine prosecution or targeting submarines. It is designed to conduct a vast range of multi-domain maritime surveillance operations, including Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief (HA/DR), Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement (Drug Trafficking, Illegal Immigration, Piracy, OMSI – Oceanic Maritime Security Initiative) and many more.
MQ-9B SeaGuardian is designed from the ground up to meet the rigorous NATO STANAG 4671 standards, controlled by a Certifiable Ground Control Station (GCS), and provisioned with a state-of-the-art Detect and Avoid (DAA) system.
MQ-9B SeaGuardian contain the capacity to have a contact with the manned aircraft and can safely provide the same airspace, making it an unparalled experience for the Defence and the Civillian Operations this advanced maritime drone is a game-changer in the field of surveillance and has endless capabilities to provide real-time situational awareness for various missions in the maritime domain.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Launches Next-Generation MQ-9B SkyGuardian Drone
San Diego-based defense contractor General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. has launched the next-generation MQ-9B SkyGuardian drone, a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) designed for persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions around the world.
The SkyGuardian drone is specifically designed to operate beyond the visible range using satellite communication, lasting for more than 40 hours regardless of weather conditions. It can safely navigate through civilian airspace, allowing joint military and civil authorities to obtain real-time situational awareness globally, day or night. It incorporates an advanced electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor, automated takeoff and landing capabilities, and boasts a larger wingspan of 79 feet (24m) compared to its previous models. By seamlessly integrating with other platforms, systems, and technologies, the SkyGuardian significantly expands its operational capabilities across multiple domains.
This drone is derived from a well-established family of systems that has accumulated over 7 million flight hours in the last ten years, supporting various operations worldwide, ranging from military engagements to environmental and humanitarian endeavors. Building upon this extensive experience, the SkyGuardian offers an increased payload capacity and employs an open architecture system, enabling integration of state-of-the-art sensor payloads for intelligence gathering, survivability, and even more complex operational environments. With nine hardpoints (eight on the wings and one on the centerline), the SkyGuardian can accommodate a maximum external payload of 4750 pounds (2155 kilograms). This flexibility allows armed forces and governments to easily incorporate their own unique payloads and mission systems for customized solutions.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of RPAS and tactical reconnaissance radars, with its Predator series of aircraft being among the most widely used drones in the world. The company’s Predator drones have been used in surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting roles, and have been deployed in conflicts around the world, including in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The MQ-9B SkyGuardian is the latest addition to the Predator series and is expected to be deployed widely in the coming years, providing a critical capability for military and civilian customers around the world.
The Thoughts of Navy Chief
New Delhi, India – The Indian Navy is reportedly keen on acquiring Predator drones for their “better surveillance and increased maritime domain awareness.” The Navy Chief, Admiral R Hari Kumar, stated that the Indian Navy has been operating these drones, and have taken two of them on lease since November 2020. With long-endurance times of up to 33 hours and the ability to fly over 40,000 feet, the Predator drones provide ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) missions for the Indian Ocean region. In peacetime, the drones help the Navy to keep a constant surveillance on the area of interest, while in times of combat, there is a possibility of using the drones for detecting, tracking, and targeting. The deal, which is reportedly worth $3 billion, will provide the Indian Navy with an ecosystem that will transform India into a global unmanned aerial system hub for innovation. The scope of the deal includes payloads integration of the weapons, and collision avoidance systems,
