General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) has demonstrated what it claims is the first-ever unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability, the company announced on 25 February 2025.
During tests held from 20 to 30 January 2025, a company-operated MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAV 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,” the company stated. “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 analysed underwater targets while collecting critical acoustic intelligence,” the company added.
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.
AIRWorks, an organisation housed under US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), played a key role in supporting and overseeing the tests, ensuring the system meets emerging warfighter needs. AIRWorks has partnered with GA-ASI in multiple ASW demonstrations, including the international Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise mounted out of Hawaii in July 2024.
“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,” GA-ASI President David R Alexander was quoted as saying in a GA-ASI press release. “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 US Navy as they explore innovative solutions for distributed maritime operations in the undersea domain.”
