U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION (CBP) MQ-9 GUARDIAN MARITIME PATROL MID ALTITUDE-LONG ENDURANCE UAS; DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONAL EMPLOYMENT

摘要

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)created a UAS Joint Program Office (JPO) to develop operational requirementsfor a maritime patrol medium altitude-long endurance (MALE) UAS andexplore the appropriate maritime sensors. After conducting a Gulf Coastmaritime UAS demo in 2008, CBP leveraged its pioneering MQ-9 land borderunmanned aircraft to create a multi-mission maritime variant. Working withindustry partners, the Guardian was quickly developed by adapting andintegrating existing sensors on the MQ-9. The MQ-9 provided the range, speed,and payload capacity needed for extended maritime patrol. The Guardian,equipped with a maritime radar, Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiverand electro optical-infrared (EO-IR) imaging system, was delivered in Dec 2009during a joint CBP-USCG acceptance ceremony. Guardian also incorporated anumber of communication and navigational systems needed for operating indiverse types of airspace. The main sensors include the Raytheon SeaVue multimodemaritime radar which was adapted to the MQ-9, and the existing EO-IRwas enhanced with a haze cut filter. Guardian’s sensors were tested against anumber of maritime smuggling threats including go-fast vessels and a selfpropelled semi-submersible during Operational Test and Evaluation in thespring of 2010. The Guardian is based at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station toleverage the existing special use airspace, and an FAA COA was granted forGuardian to operation around the Florida peninsula. Guardian will also operatein partner nation airspace to support counter drug operations in the Caribbeandrug transit zones. CBP has created a processing and exploitation cell at its Airand Marine Operations Center and has utilized its flexible disseminationnetwork to provide imagery and data to operational command nodes and units.Guardian aircrews are a mix of CBP and USCG pilot and sensors operators whodeveloped tactics, techniques and procedures for operational employment.CONOPS were developed to best integrate the Guardian’s unique capabilitiesinto existing surveillance of the maritime borders and to assist in the interdictionphase. Finally, challenges continue to be experienced with access to airspaceand operating in the harsh maritime environment.