Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS)

 

GA-ASI has developed a variant of the Predator^® B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) that is designed meet NATO standards (STANAG-4671), and in cooperation with global authorities, will subsequently meet airworthiness certification standards around the world. It leverages both the Predator B RPA and its Certifiable Ground Control Station (CGCS) as points of departure systems and identifies and incorporates the changes needed to achieve a "Type-Certifiable" system.

The MQ-9B is being built from the ground up to meet global airworthiness standards. Both hardware and software upgrades will be made, such as improved structural fatigue and damage tolerance and more robust flight control software, as well as enhancements allowing operations in adverse weather including icing conditions. Additionally, the aircraft will be designed to survive bird and lightning strikes.

MQ-9B is highly modular and is easily configured with a variety of payloads to meet mission requirements. The aircraft is capable of carrying multiple mission payloads and includes a state-of-the art Detect and Avoid (DAA) system, developed by GA-ASI, which is a key technology for RPA to fly safely in civil airspace alongside manned aircraft.

 

SeaGuardian Technical Specifications

Objective
Perform over-the-horizon long-endurance, medium-altitude Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

Features
Raytheon MTS-B EO/IR GA-ASI Lynx Multi-mode Radar and/or 360° maritime surveillance radar Precision guided munitions VHF/UHF certified radios DO-178 and DO-254 design assurance for software and avionics De-ice/Anti-ice system Sense and Avoid (TCAS/ADS-B/IFF – with provisions for Due Regard Radar) STANAG 4671 compliant type certifiable design 40,000 hour design service life All weather capable Damage tolerant airframe Lightning protection Automatic takeoff and land Fire protected engine bay Other customer specific payloads
MQ-9B SeaGuardian Mission Kit: (Optional) Multimode Maritime Surface Search Radar Automatic Information System

Characteristics
Wing Span:	79 ft (24m)
Length:	38 ft (11.7m)
Powerplant:	Honeywell TPE331-10 Turboprop
Max Gross Takeoff Weight:	12,500 lb (5670 kg)
Fuel Capacity:	6,000 lb (2721 kg)
Payload Capacity:	4,800 lb (2177 kg) across 9 hardpoints (8 wing, 1 centerline) 800 lb internal (363 kg) 4,000 lb external (1814 kg)
Power:	45 kVA
Backup Power:	2.2 kW

Performance
Max Altitude:	>40,000 ft MSL
Max Endurance:	40 hr
Max Air Speed:	210 KTAS
Control/Data Links
Line-of-Sight:	C-Band
Over-the-Horizon:	X-, Ku-, or Ka-Band BLOS Backup BLOS capable