Integrated Sonobuoy Dispensing and Monitoring

The Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) System combines GA-ASI’s Sonobuoy Dispensing System (SDS) pod with our state-of-the-art Sonobuoy Monitoring and Control System (SMCS), enabling a first-of-its-kind ASW capability on an unmanned aircraft. When combined with MQ-9B SeaGuardian’s® proven multi-domain sensors, the aircraft provides seamless coverage of the complete maritime environment, from the air to the surface, and now to the depths of the ocean. SeaGuardian with the GA-ASI ASW System enables persistent submarine tracking while simultaneously maintaining maritime battlespace awareness. SDS pods and SMCS empower naval forces operating SeaGuardian to continuously guard crucial waterways, shipping lanes, chokepoints, and allied forces against the ever-increasing threat of submarines—all with a significant reduction in personnel and equipment, and at greatly reduced cost and risk compared to manned alternatives.

Key Benefits

• Each SDS pod can carry and dispense up to 10 A-size sonobuoys or up to 20 G-size sonobuoys
• SMCS receives and processes acoustic signatures transmitted by sonobuoys
• Acoustic processing software generates target tracks, calculating speed, course, and depth on an integrated intelligence station
• MQ-9B leverages tactical data links for acoustic data dissemination

Mission Sets

• Anti-submarine warfare
• Chokepoint monitoring
• Wide-area search
• Area of denial

Specs

SDS Pod Dimensions: 156" x 42" x 30" (396.2 cm x 106.7 cm x 76.2 cm)
Weight: 290 lb (132 kg) | Filled with sonobuoys: Up to 750 lb (340 kg)