Validation Flights Using SeaGuardian® RPA are Scheduled to
Begin in Mid-September
SAN DIEGO, July 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- General Atomics
Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), a global leader in Remotely
Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), announced today that it will
partner with Asia Air Survey (AAS) to hold a series of validation
flights for the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) featuring GA-ASI's
SeaGuardian® beginning in mid-September. The
purpose of the flights is to validate the wide-area maritime
surveillance capabilities of RPAS for carrying out JCG's missions,
including search and rescue, disaster response, and maritime law
enforcement. The flights are expected to run for approximately two
months and will include support from the Japan Maritime Self
Defense Force (JMSDF) at its Hachinohe base in Aomori
Prefecture.
According to the JCG, the flight validation will be conducted in
accordance with "The Policy on Strengthening the Maritime Security
Systems," using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to perform maritime
wide-area surveillance using new technology.
"We're pleased to support the JCG's goals of validating
SeaGuardian's maritime surveillance performance," said
Linden Blue, CEO, GA-ASI. "We know there is a need in Japan and worldwide for affordable,
long-endurance airborne surveillance in the maritime domain."
The SeaGuardian system will feature a multi-mode maritime
surface-search radar with Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR)
imaging mode, an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver,
and High-Definition - Full-Motion Video sensor equipped with
optical and infrared cameras. This sensor suite enables real-time
detection and identification of surface vessels over thousands of
square nautical miles.
The featured Raytheon SeaVue surface-search radar system
provides automatic tracking of maritime targets and correlation of
AIS transmitters with radar tracks.
SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian are
revolutionizing the long-endurance RPAS market by providing true
all-weather capability and are built to achieve Type Certification
based on STANAG (NATO standard) airworthiness compliance. This
feature, along with its operationally proven, collision-avoidance
radar, enables flexible operations in civil airspace.
About GA-ASI
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an
affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading designer and
manufacturer of proven, reliable Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)
systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems,
including the Predator® RPA series and the
Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. With more than six million
flight hours, GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable
aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to
deliver persistent flight that enables situational awareness and
rapid strike. The company also produces a variety of ground control
stations and sensor control/image analysis software, offers pilot
training and support services, and develops meta-material antennas.
For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com.
SkyGuardian, SeaGuardian, Predator and Lynx are registered
trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
GA-ASI Media Relations
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
+1 (858) 524-8101
ASI-MediaRelations@ga-asi.com
Related Images
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GA-ASI's MQ-9B