Dette er min favorittdrone som jeg mener Norge må skaffe seg. (Red.)
GA-ASI Performs Cold Weather Validation Using MQ-9B
SkyGuardian
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 system’s ground servicing actions,
maneuvers, and flights were based out of GA-ASI’s Flight Test and Training
Center (FTTC) in Grand Forks, N.D. SkyGuardian
is being proposed to multiple Nordic countries for their Defence and
Security needs. 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. In a second scenario, SkyGuardian
transitioned from a climate-controlled hangar to engine
start and system checks under basic cold conditions (temperature below
-21°C/ -5°F ambient air). For
the first flight, the outside temperature was below -21°C/-5°F. All
scenarios were successfully and consistently conducted in impressive time,
relying on standard de-icing and anti-icing procedures, fluids, and support
equipment, a testament to the systems’ high readiness and responsiveness.
“Among the many transformative features of our MQ-9B line of RPA is the
aircraft’s ability to perform in extreme temperatures,” said GA-ASI President
David R. Alexander. “We welcome the cold weather operational capability
requirements from Nordic countries, as the MQ-9B is built for all-weather
global missions, and we’re thrilled to have MQ-9B perform so impressively under
these demanding cold conditions. The CWV, coupled with our recent Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
SATCOM flight tests, demonstrate how our aircraft can successfully perform missions in the
Arctic region, which is becoming a clear security priority for NORAD and NATO.”
GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian and
SeaGuardian are revolutionizing the long-endurance RPAS market by providing
all-weather capability and certification, with full compliance with STANAG-4671
(NATO UAS airworthiness standard). This feature, along with our operationally
proven, collision-avoidance radar, enables flexible operations in civil
airspace.
In addition to the Nordic countries, SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian have garnered significant interest from customers throughout the world. The UK Ministry of Defence selected MQ-9B SkyGuardian for its Protector program, and the Belgian Ministry of Defense signed a contract for SkyGuardian. MQ-9B have also been leased by the Japan Coast Guard.
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