US Coast Guard to add MQ-9B drones with 30-hour flight time to boost surveillance

What happened

US Coast Guard to add MQ-9B drones with 30-hour flight time to boost surveillance, according to Interesting Engineering. Coast Guard has ordered four MQ-9B long-range unmanned aircraft from General Atomics in a $247.8 million deal. Built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, the MQ-9B has a 79-foot wingspan and can operate in civilian airspace.

Also called the SeaGuardian, the MQ-9B is a remotely piloted aircraft equipped with specialized sensors for wide-area maritime radar, an automatic identification system, electronic support measures, and an anti-submarine warfare mission kit. The aircraft can remain airborne for more than 30 hours and communicate beyond the horizon via satellite.

According to General Atomics, the SkyGuardian’s capabilities are highly robust. It can conduct search and rescue, law enforcement, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and long-range intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.