The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has selected the MQ-9B SeaGuardian from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) for the former’s Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) RPAS Trial Operation Project. According to GA-ASI, the trials will begin in April this year.
The MQ-9B will undergo rigorous testing to evaluate its adaptability to support manned-unmanned teaming missions and reduce the level of required manpower. The Japanese government has also announced an agreement for the exchange of data obtained from the MQ-9B drones operated by the Japan Coast Guard and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) started operating a SeaGuardian from the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) Air Station Hachinohe in October 2022. The MQ-9B is being used to perform Maritime Wide Area Search (MWAS) primarily over the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean. The secondary missions of JCG’s Seaguardian are search and rescue, disaster response, and maritime law enforcement.
According to GA-ASI President David R. Alexander, the company is thrilled to support the JMSDF’s trial operation with their SeaGuardian UAS. He adds, “We know there is a need in Japan and worldwide for affordable long-endurance airborne surveillance in the maritime domain.”
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