Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Latest Generation 'Gorgon Stare' Operates in Afghanistan
The latest version of the system provides a four-fold increase in area coverage with a two-fold improvement in resolution compared to its predecessor.
Gorgon Stare is borne by the MQ-9 Reaper, shown here without the system. (Photo: U.S. Air Force)
Gorgon Stare is borne by the MQ-9 Reaper, shown here without the system. (Photo: U.S. Air Force)

The latest generation of the “Gorgon Stare” wide-area surveillance system has reached initial operational capability (IOC) in Afghanistan, lead contractor Sierra Nevada Corp. (SNC) announced on July 1. Fitted to a General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft, the system is providing the U.S. Air Force’s only operational capability for day/night persistent wide-area motion imagery, the company said.