The MQ-9B SeaGuardian drone from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) will receive the Italian Leonardo Seaspray 7500E V2 radar, announced the American manufacturer.
The new sensor will allow the MQ-9B to detect difficult targets such as submarine periscopes and sunken individuals in challenging sea conditions, the aircraft manufacturer said.
“Seaspray greatly enhances the capabilities of the MQ-9B and builds on the already close working partnership between GA-ASI and Leonardo,” said General Atomics. “Earlier this year, GA-ASI announced the completion of initial work integrating Leonardo's Sage electronic surveillance unit into the SeaGuardian, equipping the aircraft with the capability to collect intelligence information about marine and land-based radar emitters over a wide range of area."
The announcement comes days after General Atomics reported that the Legion Pod was integrated into its Avenger jet drone in less than three months. The Legion carries an IRST21 infrared search and track sensor.
The MQ-9B SeaGuardian is the maritime patrol version of the MQ-9 Reaper attack drone. The aircraft can be employed in missions such as anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue and ocean security initiatives.
With Flightglobal
