India cleared to buy 31 GA-ASI MQ-9B SkyGuardian RPAS and associated equipment.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency on February 1 announced that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India of MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3.99 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this sale.
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MQ-9B SkyGuardian (Picture source: GA-ASI)

The Government of India has requested to buy thirty-one (31) MQ-9B SkyGuardian aircraft; one hundred sixty-one (161) Embedded Global Positioning & Inertial Navigation Systems (EGIs); thirty-five (35) L3 Rio Grande Communications Intelligence Sensor Suites; one hundred seventy (170) AGM-114R Hellfire missiles; sixteen (16) M36E9 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); three hundred ten (310) GBU-39B/B Laser Small Diameter Bombs (LSDB); and eight (8) GBU-39B/B LSDB Guided Test Vehicles (GTVs) with live fuzes. Also included are Certifiable Ground Control Stations; TPE-331-10-GD engines; M299 Hellfire missile launchers; KIV-77 cryptographic appliques and other Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment; KOR-24A Small Tactical Terminals (STT); AN/SSQ-62F, AN/SSQ-53G, and AN/SSQ-36 sonobuoys; ADU-891/E Adapter Group Test Sets; Common Munitions Built-In-Test (BIT) Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE); GBU-39B/B tactical training rounds, Weapons Load Crew Trainers, and Reliability Assessment Vehicles-Instrumented; Portable Pre-flight/Post-flight Equipment (P3E); CCM-700A encryption devices; KY-100M Narrowband/wideband terminals; KI-133 cryptographic units; AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders; Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders; ROVER 6Si and TNR2x transceivers; MR6000 ultra high frequency (UHF) and very high frequency (VHF) radios; Selex SeaSpray Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) surveillance radars; HISAR-300 Radars; SNC 4500 Auto Electronic Surveillance Measures (ESM) Systems; SAGE 750 ESM systems; Due Regard Radars (DRR); MX-20 Electro-Optical Infrared (EO-IR) Laser Target Designators (LTDs); Ku-Band SATCOM GAASI Transportable Earth Stations (GATES); C-Band Line-of-Sight (LOS) Ground Data Terminals; AN/DPX-7 IFF transponders; Compact Multi-band Data Links (CMDL); initial spare and repair parts, consumables, accessories, and repair and return support; secure communications, precision navigation, and cryptographic equipment; munitions support and support equipment; testing and integration support and equipment; classified and unclassified software delivery and support; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; transportation support; warranties; studies and surveys; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $3.99 billion.

The principal contractor will be General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Poway, CA. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to India.

With a wingspan of approximately 79 feet (24 meters) and a length of around 36 feet (11 meters), the MQ-9B SkyGuardian is a substantial aerial platform, boasting a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of over 12,000 pounds (approximately 5,443 kg). What sets this UAS apart is its exceptional endurance, capable of remaining airborne for up to an impressive 40 hours. This extended flight time enables extended surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence-gathering missions, making it a valuable asset in the defense and security landscape.

One of its standout features is its payload capacity, which is adaptable to suit various mission requirements. The MQ-9B can carry a range of mission-specific payloads, including electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensors for surveillance and target tracking, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and ground moving target indicator (GMTI) radar for all-weather, day-and-night intelligence collection, electronic warfare (EW) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) systems for electronic surveillance and reconnaissance, and precision-guided munitions (PGMs) like Hellfire missiles for pinpoint strikes.

Communication is crucial in UAS operations, and the MQ-9B SkyGuardian is equipped with secure data links that facilitate real-time communication with ground stations, ensuring continuous command and control during missions. It can also operate at altitudes of up to 40,000 feet (approximately 12,192 meters), providing a wide operational envelope for various tasks.

Equipped with advanced avionics and navigation systems, including GPS and Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), the MQ-9B ensures precise and reliable flight control. Its autonomous capabilities, such as autonomous takeoff and landing and autonomous waypoint navigation, reduce the need for constant human intervention.

Moreover, the MQ-9B SkyGuardian is designed to be interoperable with various allied military systems, enhancing its effectiveness in joint operations. This interoperability, combined with its versatility and cost-effectiveness, makes it a valuable asset for a wide range of missions, from surveillance and reconnaissance to target acquisition and precision strikes when armed with munitions.