US Navy assesses MQ-9B SeaGuardian at Whidbey Island

The US Navy has assessed the MQ-9B SeaGuardian at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington. It is the latest stage in a continuing evaluation of the uncrewed aircraft. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, which builds the maritime variant, announced the assessment on 30 September.

Work for the 7th Fleet, the service's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, has centred on several large exercises, certification tests for specific systems, and operational evaluations. Under the arrangement described, General Atomics owns the aircraft and supplies the personnel who fly and maintain it. The Navy does not hold them directly.

At Whidbey Island the SeaGuardian was shown alongside the Boeing P-8A Poseidon. Those present included senior leaders, tacticians and industry partners, according to the manufacturer.

In January the Navy and General Atomics validated the aircraft for expanded anti-submarine warfare tasks. It can carry one sonobuoy dispenser system on each of its four under-wing hardpoints. Each dispenser holds 10 A-size or 20 G-size sonobuoys, for a potential total of 80. It has been used as a force multiplier with crewed aircraft such as the P-8A for anti-submarine warfare, over-the-horizon targeting and maritime domain awareness. Previous participation includes Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem and RIMPAC.