General Atomics Unveils Carrier-capable MQ-9B UAV | Aviation International News

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

General Atomics Unveils Carrier-capable MQ-9B UAV

Equipped with a STOL wing kit, the MQ-9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian will be capable of operating from assault carriers and regular aircraft carriers.

A company impression shows an MQ-9B STOL taking off from an assault carrier in SeaGuardian configuration, equipped with underbelly search radar and pods under the inner wings for dropping sonobuoys. It is depicted with AIM-9X air-to-air missiles for self-defense. (Photo: General Atomics)

By David Donald • Contributor - UK

May 11, 2022

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) announced on May 10 that it is beginning the development of a short takeoff and landing (STOL) version of its MQ-9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian remotely piloted aircraft (RPA). The core airframe and systems will be the same as those on the current MQ-9B, which has been ordered by the UK (as the Protector), Belgium, and the Japan Coast Guard, but the STOL version features a new broad-chord wing with high-lift devices and new tail surfaces.

Development of the STOL MQ-9B is part of GA-ASI’s Mojave initiative, which got underway in 2017 and first took to the air last year in the form of a modified MQ-1C Gray Eagle Extended Range air vehicle. The MQ-9B is larger and more powerful and will benefit from the ability to operate from shorter airfields. It will also be able to operate from aircraft carriers and large-deck amphibious assault vessels. This could be of considerable interest to potential customers such as the UK, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps.

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