SkyGuardian®
Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS)
GA-ASI has developed the SkyGuardian 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 GA-ASI’s long-history of developing RPA and identifies and incorporates the changes needed to achieve a "Type-Certifiable" system.
SkyGuardian 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.
SkyGuardian is highly modular and is easily configured. The aircraft 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.
SkyGuardian Technical Specifications
Objective |
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Perform over-the-horizon long-endurance, medium-altitude Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. |
Features |
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Characteristics | |
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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 | |
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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 |