A GENERAL ATOMICS Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) MQ-9B SeaGuardian remotely-piloted aircraft system (RPAS) took part in a series of tests on September 11, with the objective of putting its littoral surveillance, anti-piracy and search-and-rescue abilities through their paces. The test flights were intended to demonstrate how SeaGuardian can be used for a variety of maritime missions, including surface and subsurface searches. This was the first MQ-9B to be configured for surveillance operations over open water, and the flights served to demonstrate MQ-9B capabilities in the maritime environment. The sorties with the RPAS took place over the sea lanes off the coast of Southern California. The all-weather capable SeaGuardian is a variant of the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9B SkyGuardian configured for the maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission.
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