The MQ-9B, within the midst of the variation to the ASW position, was proven with 4 Sonobuoy Allotting System pods, after being beforehand photographed with solely two pods.
An MQ-9B Sea Guardian Remotely Piloted Plane (RPA) has been proven with 4 Sonobuoy Allotting System (SDS) pods on Might 27, 2026, amid the plane’s conversion for an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) position. Whereas the SeaGuardian has been examined for the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) position for a number of years now, nearly all renditions and pictures thus far have proven it with solely two SDS pods.
GA-ASI had hinted at using all of the 4 pods in a December 2025 check, which noticed the SeaGuardian turn into the primary unmanned system to drop Multi-static Energetic Coherent (MAC) sonobuoys. Nevertheless, the formally launched picture confirmed the RPA with solely two pods, though it’s unclear if the image within the press launch was captured throughout that check.
The most recent frontal picture of the SeaGuardian, displaying the 4 pods going through diagonally, was launched on the event of the Canada Safety (CANSEC) 2026 exhibition, which was held from Might 27 to twenty-eight. The RPA can be carrying one other pod on the centerline, which might host both a Leonardo Seaspray 7500E V2 or a Raytheon SeaVue maritime search multi-mode radar.
MQ-9B SeaGuardian® superior intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance #UAS with an anti-submarine warfare system permits persistent submarine monitoring whereas concurrently sustaining maritime area consciousness for U.S. and worldwide forces. pic.twitter.com/NFhrmabYtD
— Normal Atomics Aeronautical Techniques, Inc (GA-ASI) (@GenAtomics_ASI) Might 27, 2026
Renderings and pictures with the radar pod on the centerline have appeared with solely two SDS pods. The MQ-9B seems thus in a position to haul the payload of 5 pods, nevertheless it may need to sacrifice vary and endurance. The SeaGuardian can fly for anyplace between 24 to 40 hours, relying on the payload.
SDS pods
In response to GA-ASI’s product catalogue web page on the SDS and the Sonobuoy Monitoring and Management System (SMCS), every SDS can carry as much as 10 U.S. Navy normal ‘A’ measurement sonobuoys or 20 ‘G’ measurement sonobuoys. This offers the drone the aptitude to hold 40 ‘A’ measurement or 80 ‘G’ measurement sonobuoys, relying on the variety of SDS pods it might be lugging.
An empty SDS weighs 132 kg, and 340 kg after being filled with sonobuoys.
Within the December 2025 check, GA-ASI stated that the pods put in on the plane have been “greater than beforehand examined, doubling the variety of sonobuoys accessible.” This instructed the MQ-9B SeaGuardian in that check carried 4 SDS pods, nevertheless, as we talked about, the accompanying picture confirmed the plane in a hangar with solely two SDS pods.
That trial noticed the SeaGuardian turn into the primary UAV to check Mutli-Static Energetic Coherent (MAC) sonobuoys, with the AN/SSQ-125 underwater sensors. Together with a January 2025 trial, GA-ASI has additionally performed exams with the AN/SSQ-36 Bathythermal, the passive AN/SSQ-53G Directional Frequency Evaluation and Recording (DIFAR) and the energetic AN/SSQ-62F Directional Command Activated Sonobuoy System (DICASS) sonobuoys from the MQ-9B’s SDS.
MQ-9B ASW
The press launch from GA-ASI highlighted the efficient mixture of SDS and the Sonobuoy Monitoring and Management System (SMCS) on the MQ-9B SeaGuardian, whereas additionally providing the usual maritime surveillance, reconnaissance and battlespace consciousness functionality.
#SeaGuardian‘s maritime capabilities don’t cease on the floor. It has demonstrated the flexibility to launch sonobuoys and observe submarines whereas built-in with naval models. #UAS #ASW
Discover out extra: pic.twitter.com/TAjZJM54tr
— Normal Atomics Aeronautical Techniques, Inc (GA-ASI) (@GenAtomics_ASI) December 21, 2022
“When mixed with MQ-9B SeaGuardian’s confirmed multi-domain sensors, the plane offers seamless protection of the entire maritime setting, from the air to the floor, and now to the depths of the ocean,” says the corporate. “SeaGuardian with the GA-ASI ASW System permits persistent submarine monitoring whereas concurrently sustaining maritime battlespace consciousness. SDS pods and SMCS empower naval forces working SeaGuardian to repeatedly guard essential waterways, transport lanes, chokepoints, and allied forces in opposition to the ever-increasing menace of submarines—all with a big discount in personnel and gear, and at enormously diminished value and danger in comparison with manned options.”
Outfitted with a GA-ASI Sonobuoy Allotting Pod & a Raytheon SeaVue radar, #MQ9B SeaGuardian took to the @USNavy’s W-291 check vary in Southern California to show its means to launch submarine-detecting sonobuoys & observe underwater targets.
Extra: pic.twitter.com/zJoi1SrlPe
— Normal Atomics Aeronautical Techniques, Inc (GA-ASI) (@GenAtomics_ASI) March 20, 2024
Future
This comes as GA-ASI and Saab introduced final week the primary flight of an MQ-9B with Airborne Early Warning and Management (AEW&C) pods developed by the latter. The evolution of the MQ-9B into an ASW and AEW&C platform additionally comes because the drone confirmed its vulnerability in typical warfare, with almost 30 misplaced to Iranian air-defense and surface-strike fires, in line with Air and Area Forces Journal.
ASF additionally quoted U.S. Air Drive chief Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach who, in a Might 20 look earlier than the Home Armed Providers Committee (HASC), nonetheless celebrated the MQ-9 because the “Most worthy participant” in Operation Epic Fury. Wilsbach pointed to its unmanned operation and talent to loiter far past the constraints of human endurance that however helped strike many Iranian floor targets and surface-to-air missile methods.
ASW and AEW&C furthermore are even much less riskier roles, with the plane working at even higher distances from an enemy’s weapons engagement zone, over pleasant territory, and presumably not-so-distant from pleasant property. A single MQ-9 prices anyplace between $16-30 million, relying on the variant, and the way it’s kitted out.
A single MQ-9B SeaGuardian, performing in live performance with P-8A Poseidon ASW maritime patrol plane and MH-60R naval helicopters, can considerably widen and extend a search space unburdening the manned platforms, whereas additionally providing normal optical maritime surveillance.
