Japan Coast Guard

GA-ASI's Unmanned Aircraft Cross 8 Million Flight Hours

Retrieved on: 
Friday, July 14, 2023

SAN DIEGO, CA, July 14, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA ASI) today announced that its family of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), which includes the Predator(R), Reaper, Gray Eagle, Avenger(R), and MQ-9B SkyGuardian(R)/SeaGuardian(R) lines, has surpassed eight million flight hours.

Key Points: 
  • SAN DIEGO, CA, July 14, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA ASI) today announced that its family of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), which includes the Predator(R), Reaper, Gray Eagle, Avenger(R), and MQ-9B SkyGuardian(R)/SeaGuardian(R) lines, has surpassed eight million flight hours.
  • Adding to the total are 13 MQ-9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian UAS that have flown more than 4,000 flight hours, including the new Protector RG Mk1 being delivered to the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force.
  • "Eight million flight hours is another achievement on our list of historic firsts, which demonstrates our relentless commitment to quality."
  • These aircraft systems continue to maintain some of the highest mission-capable rates in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army aircraft inventories.

Protector Training for First RAF Cohort Begins at GA-ASI's FTTC

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 4, 2023

The FTTC is owned and operated by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), which has begun deliveries of Protector RPAS to the RAF.

Key Points: 
  • The FTTC is owned and operated by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), which has begun deliveries of Protector RPAS to the RAF.
  • Protector is a derivative of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian(R) and is initially being flown in the USA for training.
  • GA-ASI is training the first four Operational Conversion Units (OCUs), each comprising eight crews, including pilots, sensor operators (SOs), and mission intelligence coordinators (MICs).
  • "The training services performed at our Grand Forks center for the RAF represent an important benchmark for future MQ-9B training for other partners," said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander.

GA-ASI Performs Cold Weather Validation Using MQ-9B SkyGuardian

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 24, 2023

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) successfully performed Cold Weather Validation (CWV) using a company-owned MQ-9B SkyGuardian® Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) in late Jan./early Feb. 2023, adding to the cold weather experience of the MQ-9 family of systems.

Key Points: 
  • SAN DIEGO, Feb. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) successfully performed Cold Weather Validation (CWV) using a company-owned MQ-9B SkyGuardian® Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) in late Jan./early Feb. 2023, adding to the cold weather experience of the MQ-9 family of systems.
  • The CWV flight test widens and accelerates the global operational implementation for SkyGuardian, especially for countries that need to operate in cold conditions.
  • To prepare for the CWV, SkyGuardian was put in a "cold soak" that kept the aircraft at a temperature well below -21°C/-5°F for 12 hours, then prepared for ground maneuvers and flight through a de-icing process using de-icing and anti-icing fluids.
  • The UK Ministry of Defence selected MQ-9B SkyGuardian for its Protector program, and the Belgian Ministry of Defense signed a contract for SkyGuardian .

GA-ASI SeaGuardian® Begins Operations for Japan Coast Guard

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 19, 2022

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Oct. 19, 2022, the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) commenced flight operations using an MQ-9B SeaGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI).

Key Points: 
  • SAN DIEGO, Oct. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Oct. 19, 2022, the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) commenced flight operations using an MQ-9B SeaGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI).
  • JCG is operating the SeaGuardian fromthe Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) Air Station Hachinohe.
  • The RPA will primarilyperformMaritime Wide Area Search (MWAS) over the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean.Other missions will includesearch and rescue, disaster response, and maritime law enforcement.
  • "SeaGuardian is the world's premier asset for performing MWAS," said Robert Schoeffling,vice president of International Strategic Development at GA-ASI.

UPDATE: Protector Completes Acceptance Test Procedures

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 6, 2022

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP) for the first ProtectorRG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) system has been completed.

Key Points: 
  • SAN DIEGO, Oct. 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP) for the first ProtectorRG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) system has been completed.
  • Protector is a specially configured model of MQ-9B, designed to meet the unique requirements of the RAF.
  • "It was a great pleasure to accept the official handover of the first Protector aircraft on behalf of the MOD, following the successful completion of Acceptance Test Procedures.
  • RAF Air Commodore Alex Hicks said, "The acceptance of the first Protector aircraft is a significant and exciting milestone in the delivery of this world-class capability to the Royal Air Force.

Protector Completes Acceptance Test Procedures

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 7, 2022

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP) for the first ProtectorRG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) system was completed on Aug. 26, 2022.

Key Points: 
  • SAN DIEGO, Sept. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP) for the first ProtectorRG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) system was completed on Aug. 26, 2022.
  • Protector is a specially configured model of MQ-9B, designed to meet the unique requirements of the RAF.
  • "It is a great pleasure to accept the official handover of the first Protector aircraft on behalf of the MOD, following the successful completion of Acceptance Test Procedures.
  • RAF Air Commodore Alex Hicks said: "The acceptance of the first Protector aircraft is a significant and exciting milestone in the delivery of this world-class capability to the Royal Air Force.

GA-ASI Grows Mojave Line With New MQ-9B STOL Package

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 10, 2022

GA-ASI began STOL development in 2017 as part of its Mojave initiative.

Key Points: 
  • GA-ASI began STOL development in 2017 as part of its Mojave initiative.
  • The MQ-9B STOL configuration will consist ofan optional wing and tail kit that can be installed in less than a day.The core aircraft and its sub-systems remain the same.
  • MQ-9B STOL, which is part of GA-ASI's Mojave series of unmanned aircraft, also presents an opportunity for future operations aboard an aircraft carrier or big-deck amphibious assault ship.
  • The wings fold so that MQ-9B STOL could be parked on the deck or in the hangar bay, just like other naval aircraft.

GA-ASI Selected for Japan Coast Guard RPAS Project

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 6, 2022

SAN DIEGO, April 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), the global leader in Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), is pleased to be selected to support the Japan Coast Guard's (JCG) RPAS Project.

Key Points: 
  • SAN DIEGO, April 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), the global leader in Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), is pleased to be selected to support the Japan Coast Guard's (JCG) RPAS Project.
  • SeaGuardian will be used to conduct wide-area maritime surveillance to support JCG's missions, which include search and rescue, disaster response, and maritime law enforcement.
  • "We're proud to support the JCG's maritime surveillance mission with our SeaGuardian UAS," said Linden Blue, CEO of GA-ASI.
  • SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian are revolutionizing the long-endurance RPAS market by providing all-weather capability and full compliance with STANAG-4671 (NATO UAS airworthiness standard).

Fujitsu Introduces AI technology Enabling Highly Accurate Prediction of Vessel Collision Risks on Complex Maritime Routes

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 28, 2021

- Technology contributes to improved maritime traffic safety in areas with heavy maritime traffic and heightened collision risks, including bays

Key Points: 
  • - Technology contributes to improved maritime traffic safety in areas with heavy maritime traffic and heightened collision risks, including bays
    TOKYO, Sept 28, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - Fujitsu Limited today announced the introduction of a highly-accurate AI technology to predict vessel collision risks on complex sea routes including bay areas.
  • Fujitsu previously leveraged AI technology to calculate and predict vessel collision risks based on the current position, speed and direction of the ship.
  • Now, an additional algorithm has been added to this technology in order to calculate the degree to which the vessel is following its course, enabling more accurate risk prevention.
  • Through this service, Fujitsu aims to ensure both the safety of maritime traffic control as well as vessel operation and will support the construction of resilient maritime traffic systems.

GA-ASI Conducts JCG's Validation Flights in Japan

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 8, 2020

The purpose of the flights is to validate the wide-area maritime surveillance capabilities of RPAS for carrying out JCG's missions, including search and rescue, disaster response, and maritime law enforcement.

Key Points: 
  • The purpose of the flights is to validate the wide-area maritime surveillance capabilities of RPAS for carrying out JCG's missions, including search and rescue, disaster response, and maritime law enforcement.
  • The flights are expected to run for approximately two months and will include support from the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) at its Hachinohe base in Aomori Prefecture.
  • According to the JCG, the flight validation will be conducted in accordance with "The Policy on Strengthening the Maritime Security Systems," using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to perform maritime wide-area surveillance using new technology.
  • "We know there is a need in Japan and worldwide for affordable, long-endurance airborne surveillance in the maritime domain."