COMUNICAE Ga-asi Advances in Submarine Hunting by Testing New Air-launched Sensors
In a pioneering test conducted from January 20 to 30, 2025, an MQ-9B SeaGuardian operated by the company successfully deployed and tested anti-submarine sensors
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) continues to expand the role of unmanned aerial systems, showing the first anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability in an MQ-9B SeaGuardian®. In a pioneering test conducted from January 20 to 30, 2025, an MQ-9B SeaGuardian operated by the company successfully deployed and tested anti-submarine sensors using multiple pre-production Sonobuoy Dispenser System (SDS) pods.
After showing its capability to track submerged targets, SeaGuardian expanded this capability with GA-ASI's new SDS modules. These pods deployed multiple sonobuoys to conduct onboard acoustic and thermal depth data processing. Thanks to DIFAR (Directional Frequency Analysis and Recording), DICASS (Directional Command Activated Sonobuoy System) and Bathythermograph sonobuoys, SeaGuardian effectively detected, tracked and analyzed underwater targets while collecting critical acoustic information.
"This demonstration represents a major leap forward in unmanned capabilities and marks an important 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 these tests paves the way for enhancing the anti-submarine warfare capabilities of the MQ-9B SeaGuardian. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with the United States Navy in exploring innovative solutions for distributed maritime operations in the undersea domain."
As part of the development process, GA-ASI successfully deployed multiple DIFAR and DICASS test sonobuoys, accurately correlating ejection speed with stress/strain data. This provided a high-fidelity launch model to refine future deployment capabilities.
The Aircraft Division of the Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWCAD) AIRWorks played a key role in supporting and overseeing the development, ensuring the system meets the emerging needs of warfighters. AIRWorks has collaborated with GA-ASI on multiple ASW demonstrations, including the RimPAC (Rim of the Pacific) exercise in July 2024.
With strong demand already existing from multiple customers, GA-ASI anticipates growing interest in the MQ-9B SeaGuardian, given its high-end maritime capabilities at a significantly lower cost than traditional manned maritime platforms.
About GA-ASI
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), a subsidiary of General Atomics, is a leading designer and manufacturer of reliable and proven RPA systems, radars and related electro-optical and mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® multi-mode radar. With over eight million flight hours, GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with the integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent situational awareness. The company also produces various sensor control and image analysis software programs, offers pilot training and support services, and develops metamaterial antennas.
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