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SeaGuardian Drone Now Equipped with Smart Sonobuoys for Enhanced Submarine Detection.
On 20 May 2025, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and Ultra Maritime entered a strategic partnership aimed at revolutionizing anti-submarine warfare (ASW) through unmanned airborne platforms. The collaboration leverages GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SeaGuardian, a long-endurance unmanned aerial system (UAS) known for its intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting (ISR&T) capabilities, and combines it with Ultra Maritime’s cutting-edge miniature sonobuoys and compact acoustic receivers. This innovative union promises to deliver a cost-effective and autonomous solution to one of modern warfare’s most pressing challenges: tracking stealthy enemy submarines in GPS-denied or electronically contested environments.
The new system enables wide-area, persistent submarine detection by using compact, low-power sonobuoys and receivers that double the MQ-9B SeaGuardian’s deployment capacity (Picture source: GA-ASI)
The urgency behind this development stems from the rising threat posed by increasingly silent and numerous adversary submarines and unmanned underwater vehicles. Compounding this is the growing use of GPS jamming technologies, which compromise traditional tracking methods. The new integrated system is designed to overcome these constraints by enabling persistent and wide-area submarine detection using a unique payload of half-size, low-power sonobuoys and equally miniaturized receivers. These components can be deployed from the MQ-9B SeaGuardian, effectively doubling the platform’s sonobuoy-carrying capacity compared to traditional systems.
The MQ-9B SeaGuardian is a maritime-configured remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., derived from the SkyGuardian platform. Designed for over-the-horizon operations via satellite, it offers more than 30 hours of endurance in all weather conditions. SeaGuardian is equipped with modular “bolt-on/bolt-off” maritime sensors, including a wide-area maritime radar, Automatic Identification System (AIS), Electronic Support Measures (ESM), and a dedicated anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission kit. Thanks to its open architecture, the aircraft can integrate a Sonobuoy Management and Control System (SMCS) and a Sonobuoy Dispenser System (SDS), enabling it to autonomously deploy and manage sonobuoys, even in GPS-denied environments.
Operationally, the SeaGuardian can carry up to four SDS pods, accommodating up to 40 ‘A’ size or 80 ‘G’ size sonobuoys, which greatly enhances its submarine detection capability. With a mission radius of over 1,200 nautical miles and extensive on-station endurance, it can perform a range of maritime ISR missions such as anti-surface warfare, airborne mine countermeasures, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, and long-range targeting. Moreover, the MQ-9B SeaGuardian is the first RPAS in its class to meet NATO STANAG 4671 and comply with civil airspace regulations, making it fully interoperable with civilian and military aviation systems. This makes it a versatile and cost-effective solution for modern maritime domain operations
Central to the technological breakthrough is Ultra Maritime’s development of Multi-static Active (MSA) sonobuoys. These compact devices work in coordinated arrays to detect submarines by transmitting and receiving acoustic signals across broad swaths of ocean. The receivers, designed to be half the size of standard models, are optimized for integration with the MQ-9B’s payload capabilities, allowing more sonobuoys to be simultaneously monitored during each mission. This significantly enhances detection coverage, especially over vast maritime areas.
Equally significant is the system’s autonomy and resilience in environments where GPS navigation is compromised. Using advanced onboard communication systems, the MQ-9B will be capable of managing ASW missions without direct operator input or reliance on satellite navigation, making it ideal for operations in high-risk regions. This development is entirely funded through internal research and development from both GA-ASI and Ultra Maritime, highlighting a shared commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions without external investment constraints.
Operational demonstrations of the new system are planned for 2025, starting in the Indo-Pacific region, an area of increasing strategic focus due to its vast maritime expanse and growing regional tensions. The demonstration aims to showcase the operational readiness and effectiveness of the MQ-9B SeaGuardian configured for ASW missions, potentially increasing demand for the system among nations seeking cost-effective and scalable maritime surveillance solutions.
The collaboration also signals a broader trend toward equipping unmanned platforms with multifunctional capabilities. In addition to its ASW upgrades, GA-ASI is reportedly developing a rotating laser weapon system for the MQ-9B, designed to defend against other drones and aerial threats. This modular approach underscores the SeaGuardian’s role as a versatile asset in modern multi-domain operations.
In summary, the partnership between GA-ASI and Ultra Maritime marks a significant step forward in the development of unmanned ASW capabilities. By merging advanced ISR&T platforms with innovative underwater detection technologies, the initiative addresses the growing need for affordable, autonomous, and GPS-independent ASW solutions. As the defense community continues to adapt to emerging maritime threats, this new capability could redefine how submarine tracking and undersea warfare are conducted in the 21st century.