SeaGuardian is the maritime version of GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian, and the Qatar government is interested in procuring MQ-9B to support their national security and defence.

What differentiates SeaGuardian is its maritime Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability, which features a multi-mode maritime surface search radar with Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar imaging mode, an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capabilities, and a High-Definition, Full-Motion Video sensor equipped with optical and infrared cameras.

The same SeaGuardian aircraft on display at DIMDEX was used several months ago in a five-week demonstrations series with the Royal Air Force. The flights demonstrated SeaGuardian's marine capabilities, such as ASW tasking and manned-unmanned teaming with an RAF P-8 aircraft. The UAS flew extensively in UK-controlled airspace, building the foundation for accepting unmanned aircraft operating routinely in unsegregated airspace.

In addition to the maritime patrol radar, AIS and ASW capabilities, the SeaGuardian includes an Electronic Support Measures (ESM) payload integrated into the aircraft’s winglets. The ESM payload detects, identifies, and geo-locates RF emitters, making it useful for long-range ISR missions.