GA-ASI's SeaGuardian Achieves Milestone in Unmanned Anti-Submarine Warfare
In a significant advancement for naval defense technology, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has successfully demonstrated the first-ever Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability on an unmanned aerial system. During tests conducted from January 20-30, 2025, the MQ-9B SeaGuardian deployed multiple sonobuoys from newly designed Sonobuoy Dispensing System (SDS) pods, effectively detecting and tracking underwater targets.
The groundbreaking demonstration marks a major evolution in maritime surveillance capabilities, as the SeaGuardian successfully processed thermal-depth and acoustic data onboard using various types of sonobuoys, including Directional Frequency Analysis and Recording (DIFAR), Directional Command Activated Sonobuoy System (DICASS), and Bathythermograph systems.
"This demonstration represents a major leap forward in unmanned capabilities and marks a major milestone in proving that an unmanned aircraft can perform end-to-end persistent ASW operations," said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander.
The development comes as navies worldwide are seeking cost-effective solutions for monitoring increasingly sophisticated submarine threats. The SeaGuardian platform offers high-end maritime capabilities at significantly lower operational costs than traditional manned maritime patrol aircraft.
Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) AIRWorks collaborated with GA-ASI throughout the development process, ensuring the system meets emerging warfighter requirements. This partnership builds on previous collaborations, including demonstrations during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in July 2024.
The MQ-9B SeaGuardian, an advanced variant of the widely-deployed MQ-9 Reaper drone, was originally developed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, but has since evolved to incorporate specialized maritime capabilities. With more than eight million flight hours across the Predator series of remotely piloted aircraft, GA-ASI continues to expand the operational envelope of unmanned systems.
Industry analysts suggest this development could substantially impact naval operations by enabling persistent anti-submarine surveillance without the limitations and costs associated with manned aircraft. Multiple customers have already expressed interest in the system's capabilities, according to GA-ASI representatives.
GA-ASI Advances Sub-Hunting With Test of New Air-Dropped Sensors
SAN DIEGO – 25 February 2025 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) continues to expand the role of unmanned aerial systems, demonstrating the first-ever Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability on an MQ-9B SeaGuardian®. In a groundbreaking test from January 20-30, 2025, a company-operated MQ-9B SeaGuardian successfully deployed and tested anti-submarine sensors using multiple pre-production Sonobuoy Dispensing System (SDS) pods.
Having already proven its ability to track submerged targets, SeaGuardian took this capability further with GA-ASI’s newly designed SDS pods. These pods deployed multiple sonobuoys to conduct onboard thermal-depth and acoustic data processing. Using Directional Frequency Analysis and Recording (DIFAR), Directional Command Activated Sonobuoy System (DICASS), and Bathythermograph sonobuoys, SeaGuardian effectively detected, tracked, and analyzed underwater targets while collecting critical acoustic intelligence.
“This demonstration represents a major leap forward in unmanned capabilities and marks a major milestone in proving that an unmanned aircraft can perform end-to-end persistent ASW operations,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “The success of this testing paves the way for enhanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities on the MQ-9B SeaGuardian. We look forward to continued collaboration with the U.S. Navy as they explore innovative solutions for distributed maritime operations in the undersea domain.”
As part of the development process, GA-ASI successfully deployed multiple DIFAR and DICASS test sonobuoys, precisely correlating ejection speed with stress/strain data. This provided a high-fidelity launch model to refine future deployment capabilities.
Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) AIRWorks played a key role in supporting and overseeing the development, ensuring the system meets emerging warfighter needs. AIRWorks has partnered with GA-ASI in multiple ASW demonstrations, including the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in July 2024.
With strong demand already in place from multiple customers, GA-ASI anticipates increasing interest in the MQ-9B SeaGuardian, given its high-end maritime capabilities at a significantly lower cost than traditional manned maritime platforms.
About GA-ASI
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable RPA systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. With more than eight million flight hours, GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent situational awareness. The company also produces a variety of sensor control/image analysis software, offers pilot training and support services, and develops meta-material antennas.
For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com 
Avenger, Gray Eagle, Lynx, Predator, Reaper, SeaGuardian, and SkyGuardian are trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries.
GA-ASI Unveils MQ-9B SeaGuardian's New Anti-Submarine Warfare Capabilities | SOFREP
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has recently demonstrated the first-ever Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability on the MQ-9B SeaGuardian unmanned aerial system (UAS), marking a significant milestone in expanding the drone’s role in military operations.
This groundbreaking demonstration, held from January 20-30, showcased the MQ-9B drone as it deployed and tested a variety of advanced anti-submarine sensors with multiple pre-production Sonobuoy Dispensing System (SDS) pods.
The successful test not only underscores the SeaGuardian’s potential for advanced maritime surveillance but also paves the way for the integration of persistent ASW capabilities in unmanned aerial systems.
The Inside Scoop on the SeaGuardian’s ASW Trial
During the ASW test, the MQ-9B SeaGuardian successfully deployed SDS pods, which released various types of sonobuoys to conduct onboard thermal-depth and acoustic data processing.
These sonobuoys included Directional Frequency Analysis and Recording (DIFAR), Directional Command Activated Sonobuoy System (DICASS), and Bathythermograph sonobuoys, which allowed the SeaGuardian to detect, track, and analyze submerged targets while gathering critical acoustic intelligence. This multi-layered sensor approach enables real-time analysis of underwater targets and significantly enhances the drone’s surveillance capabilities.
In addition to the deployment of the sonobuoys, GA-ASI successfully demonstrated a high-fidelity launch model, which precisely correlated the ejection speed with stress/strain data. This contributed to refining the system’s future deployment capabilities, ensuring that the SeaGuardian will be able to effectively perform ASW operations in diverse maritime environments.
The successful test is a major step forward for unmanned aircraft in military operations, as it proves the viability of unmanned systems to conduct end-to-end ASW operations.
Development History of the MQ-9B SeaGuardian
The MQ-9B SeaGuardian is an advanced version of the MQ-9 Reaper drone, originally developed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
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