The U.S. Navy’s 40,000 Feet New Drone Can Stay in the Sky for 30 Hours

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The U.S. Navy is evaluating the MQ-9B SeaGuardian, a 30-hour maritime drone capable of operating above 40,000 feet for surveillance, reconnaissance and potential anti-submarine missions.

The U.S. Navy is evaluating a drone that can stay airborne for more than 30 hours while watching huge areas of ocean.

The MQ-9B SeaGuardian, developed by General Atomics, was recently evaluated by the Navy’s Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force as it explores how the aircraft could complement its existing maritime surveillance fleet.

SeaGuardian is essentially a maritime-optimized member of the MQ-9B family, designed for missions ranging from maritime surveillance and anti-surface warfare to anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and disaster response.

And endurance is its biggest advantage.

The aircraft can operate above 40,000 feet and remain airborne for more than 30 hours depending on its configuration. Satellite communications allow it to operate beyond line of sight, potentially monitoring enormous stretches of ocean without requiring a crew aboard the aircraft.

It can also integrate wide-area maritime radar, an Automatic Identification System, electronic-support measures and a dedicated anti-submarine warfare mission kit.

The Navy has already used SeaGuardian during exercises including Northern Edge and Integrated Battle Problem, while also supporting carrier pre-deployment workups.

The idea isn’t necessarily to replace aircraft like the P-8A Poseidon.

Instead, SeaGuardian could become a persistent unmanned partner — staying over the ocean for more than a day at a time, gathering information while crewed aircraft are available for missions that actually require people onboard.

6 days ago

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The U.S. Navy’s 40,000 Feet New Drone Can Stay in the Sky for 30 Hours

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