General Atomics demonstrates drone-deployed ASW sensor pod

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems' Sonobuoy Dispensing System (SDS) pod. (General Atomics)

Programme officials at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) demonstrated the capability to launch multiple anti-submarine sensor buoys from an unmanned aircraft system (UAS).

The demonstration, which took place in late January but was officially disclosed in February, featured anti-submarine warfare (ASW) buoys from the company's Sonobuoy Dispensing System (SDS) pod mounted aboard an MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAS. The SeaGuardian is the maritime variant of the company's MQ-9B SkyGuardian, which is an upgraded version of the venerable MQ-9 Reaper UAS, fielded by the US Air Force. The SeaGuardian was specially built to accept ‘bolt on-bolt off' external pods, such as the SDS, specifically designed for use in maritime environments.

During the January demonstration, a SkyGuardian outfitted with SDS pods launched a series of ASW buoys, including Directional Frequency Analysis and Recording (DIFAR), Directional Command Activated Sonobuoy System (DICASS), and Bathythermograph (BT) sonobuoys, according to a February company statement.

Equipped with GA-ASI's Sonobuoy Monitoring and Control System (SMCS), programme officials were able to “effectively detect, track, and analyse underwater targets while collecting critical acoustic intelligence” via the SDS-launched DIFAR, DICASS, and BT buoys, the statement said. The deployed sonobuoys were specifically attuned to “conduct onboard thermal-depth and acoustic data processing”, company officials said in the statement.