On November 22, 2022, a Basic Atomics Aeronautical Techniques, Inc. (GA-ASI) MQ-9A Remotely Piloted Plane that’s on lease from GA-ASI to India’s Navy accomplished its 10,000th flight hour in help of India nationwide safety missions. The ten,000-flight hour mark has been achieved by two MQ-9As being operated by the Indian Navy throughout a interval of virtually precisely two years, with the maiden flight of MQ-9A going down on November 21, 2020.
“The Indian Armed Forces have been impressed by the MQ-9A’s over-the-horizon ISR help for floor models and Indian warships, in addition to the distinctive endurance and operational availability of the platform,” mentioned GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue. “Our MQ-9As have helped the Indian Navy to cowl over 14 million sq. miles of working space.”
The MQ-9As are equipped to India by GA-ASI as a part of a Firm-Owned, Firm-Operated (COCO) lease settlement. GA-ASI is the world’s main producer of RPA techniques, radars, and electro-optic and associated mission techniques options. MQ-9As are operated by the USA, the UK, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. GA-ASI’s newer MQ-9B variant has been acquired by the UK and on order for Belgium. The MQ-9B maritime surveillance configuration (SeaGuardian®) not too long ago started operations in help of the Japan Coast Guard.
