GA-ASI HAS PRODUCED MORE THAN 20 VARIANTS SINCE IT INTRODUCED ITS FIRST RPAS IN 1990
Geopolitics|October 2020
GA-ASI’s new MQ-9B is available as the SkyGuardian and the SeaGuardian for maritime operations. The UK is the launch customer and they requested a special variant, based on MQ-9B SkyGuardian, called the Protector, points out VIVEK LALL, Chief Executive, General Atomics Global Corporation, in this one-on-one with GEOPOLITICS
GA-ASI HAS PRODUCED MORE THAN 20 VARIANTS SINCE IT INTRODUCED ITS FIRST RPAS IN 1990

What are the different variants of the new MQ-9B?

GA-ASI has produced more than 20 variants since it introduced its first RPAS in 1990. Some variants are born out of customer-specific requirements. For instance, GA-ASI’s new MQ-9B is available as the SkyGuardian and the SeaGuardian for maritime operations. The UK is the launch customer and they requested a special variant, based on MQ-9B SkyGuardian, called the Protector.

What is the impact of recent US decisions to ease the sale of high-end UAVs for General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI)?

GA-ASI welcomes the announced changes that will alter the treatment of General Atomics’ UAS under US export policy. We look forward to this announcement leading to approvals for sales to a larger portion of the international market.

India is now said to be looking at an urgent purchase of armed UAVs – has GA-ASI received State Department Clearance for such a sale?

The Trump Administration announced in 2018 that MQ-9B would be the US offering to the Indian Government for all of their RPA requirements.

What does a complete MQ-9 Predator armed drone entail in terms of ground support equipment?

A typical MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) includes an array of ground support equipment, including Ground Control Stations (GCS) and satellite terminals.

What is the maximum altitude from which an MQ-9 Predator can takeoff and what are the latest variants under production?

This story is from the October 2020 edition of Geopolitics.

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This story is from the October 2020 edition of Geopolitics.

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