As a part of a U.S. Navy contract, an MQ-9B SeaGuardian® Unmanned Plane System from Common Atomics Aeronautical Programs, Inc. (GA-ASI) supported the NORTHERN EDGE 2023 (NE23) train Could 8-19, 2023. The coaching train, which befell within the Gulf of Alaska, was one in all a collection of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (IPACOM) workout routines that prepares joint forces to reply to crises within the Asia Pacific area.
GA-ASI’s SeaGuardian is a maritime spinoff of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian® and stays the primary UAS that gives multi-domain Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Concentrating on (ISR&T) and has an inside payload suite that may prosecute floor and subsurface targets in assist of Fleet Operations.
Throughout NE23, SeaGuardian supplied real-time Maritime ISR&T knowledge feeds to the assorted IPACOM operations facilities together with Pacific Fleet, Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Joint Train Management Group (JECG) and varied train and real-world watch flooring. Actual-time sensor knowledge – together with Alerts Intelligence (SIGINT), radar, and full-motion video – was Processed, Exploited and Disseminated (PED) by operators by way of Minotaur Mission System. The Minotaur system was developed by the Johns Hopkins College Utilized Physics Laboratory. It hyperlinks sensors, SIGINT, cameras, radar and communications tools right into a single, automated system that permits operators to extra effectively establish, monitor and goal concurrently with different customers for expedited dynamic tasking. This categorized knowledge was transmitted to the Joint Fires Community utilizing new DoD applied sciences permitting for the good routing of communications between broadly distributed communications nodes.
As well as, SeaGuardian showcased an array of operational payloads, together with Digital Assist Measures (ESM), Radar Transferring Goal Indication (MTI) and Inverse Artificial-Aperture Radar (ISAR), Communication Intelligence (COMINT), Computerized Identification System (AIS), high-definition Electro-Optical/Infra-Pink (EO/IR) imaging system and Hyperlink 16.
The ESM payload on SeaGuardian was equipped by Sierra Nevada Company and the COMINT payload was made by L3Harris Applied sciences. The plane featured the SeaVue Multi-role radar from Raytheon Applied sciences. GA-ASI’s Hyperlink 16 resolution leveraged the L3Harris Small Tactical Terminal (STT) KOR-24A radio and Extremely Electronics Air Protection Programs Integrator (ADSI) host software program ran on the Parry Labs Stellar Relay Widespread Compute Module.
The GA-ASI-developed Detect and Keep away from (DAA) system was additionally put in in SeaGuardian and obtained a restricted certification from NAVAIR. This enabled SeaGuardian to carry out past visible line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations throughout the train airspace.
SeaGuardian’s multi-domain capabilities permits it to flex from mission to mission and go real-time sensor knowledge on to the fleet by way of Hyperlink 16 and satellite tv for pc feeds to the shore-based command and intelligence facilities. Throughout NE23, the MQ-9B successfully handed ISR&T data to numerous floor and air models, and a litany of different U.S. and overseas models participating within the train.
Along with its contributions to the train, the SeaGuardian self-deployed from GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon flight operations facility in El Mirage, Calif., to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, protecting over 2,000 nautical miles in a single flight and demonstrated SeaGuardian’s unrivalled expeditionary attributes. The plane self-deployed again to El Mirage following the train. All flights had been flown from a ahead deployed Mission Command Component comprised of a Licensed Floor Management Station and Mission Intelligence Station situated Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, exercising UAS Expeditionary Idea of Operations (CONOPS) in assist of Train goals.
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