GA-ASI begins MQ-9 demo in Greece

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has begun a series of MQ-9 Guardian demonstration flights hosted by the Hellenic Air Force (HAF).

Taking place out of Larissa Air Base in Greece, the demonstrations will showcase the maritime surveillance capabilities of the MQ-9, as well as the GA-ASI-developed Detect and Avoid (DAA) system, to an audience of European country representatives.

The DAA system consists of an air-to-air radar integrated with Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast systems, providing important safety features for the flight of large UAS in controlled airspace.

The MQ-9 will also demonstrate Raytheon SeaVue surface-search radar with inverse synthetic aperture radar mode, an automatic identification system receiver, and high-definition/full-motion video sensor equipped with optical and infrared cameras. This sensor suite enables real-time detection and identification of surface vessels over thousands of square nautical miles.

Linden Blue, CEO, GA-ASI, said: ‘We appreciate the HAF’s support with our customer demonstrations. GA-ASI is highlighting the maritime surveillance and civil airspace integration capabilities of our unmanned aircraft for our European customers.

‘Our long-endurance RPA (25-40 hours per sortie, depending on configuration) will be on display and provide insight into the importance of maritime patrol, as well as showcase our DAA avionics system that will support our goal of flying RPA in civil airspace.’