GA-ASI Advances Sub-Hunting With Test of New Air-Dropped Sensors
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA / ACCESS Newswire / February 25, 2025 / General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) continues to expand the role of unmanned aerial systems, demonstrating the first-ever Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability on an MQ-9B SeaGuardian®. In a groundbreaking test from January 20-30, 2025, a company-operated MQ-9B SeaGuardian 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. 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 analyzed underwater targets while collecting critical acoustic intelligence.
"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," said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. "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 U.S. Navy as they explore innovative solutions for distributed maritime operations in the undersea domain."
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.
Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) AIRWorks played a key role in supporting and overseeing the development, ensuring the system meets emerging warfighter needs. AIRWorks has partnered with GA-ASI in multiple ASW demonstrations, including the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in July 2024.
With strong demand already in place from multiple customers, GA-ASI anticipates increasing interest in the MQ-9B SeaGuardian, given its high-end maritime capabilities at a significantly lower cost than traditional manned maritime platforms.
About GA-ASI
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable RPA systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. With more than eight million flight hours, GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent situational awareness. The company also produces a variety of sensor control/image analysis software, offers pilot training and support services, and develops meta-material antennas.
For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com.
Avenger, Gray Eagle, Lynx, Predator, Reaper, SeaGuardian, and SkyGuardian are trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries.
# # #
Contact Information
GA-ASI Media Relations
asi-mediarelations@ga-asi.com
SOURCE: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

Subscribe to releases from ACCESS Newswire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from ACCESS Newswire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from ACCESS Newswire
Historic Global Anti-Scam Summit Convenes in London to Combat Escalating Online Fraud4.3.2025 01:00:00 CET | Press release
The World's largest gathering of international leaders, law enforcement, and industry experts aims to reshape the fight against global scams LONDON, GB / ACCESS Newswire / March 4, 2025 / In a landmark event, the United Kingdom will host the Global Anti-Scam Summit (GASS) London 2025, bringing together an unprecedented number of policymakers, industry leaders, and cybersecurity experts. This summit, organized by the UK Home Office, Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), Cifas, and Euroconsumers, is set to be the most significant anti-scam event to date, with a focus on forging global partnerships to address the rampant rise of online scams, which last year cost the global economy nearly US$1.03 trillion. Unveiling Global Strategies Against Scams The summit will kick off with keynote speeches from top international figures, including The Rt Hon Lord Hanson of Flint, who will outline the UK's initiatives and the collaborative efforts needed to combat this global menace. Discussions will focus
GA-ASI Welcomes USAF Designation for New CCA: YFQ-42A3.3.2025 20:45:00 CET | Press release
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA / ACCESS Newswire / March 3, 2025 / General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) welcomes the U.S. Air Force's designation for its Collaborative Combat Aircraft: the new uncrewed jet fighter will be called the YFQ-42A. The announcement on Monday followed an earlier USAF decision in 2024 that GA-ASI was selected to develop and build the YFQ-42A. "We're proud to get a new official aircraft designation," said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. "YFQ-42A continues a long and distinguished history for GA-ASI that dates back to the 1990s and the debut of the RQ-1 Predator®, which later changed to MQ-1 Predator. That uncrewed aircraft gave way to the MQ-9A Reaper®, the MQ-20 Avenger®, our new MQ-9B SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian®, and many others. "These aircraft represent an unrivaled history of capable, dependable uncrewed platforms that meet the needs of America's warfighters and point the way to a significant new era for airpower." The Air Force selected YFQ-42
Polaris Renewable Energy Announces Closing Of Acquisition In Puerto Rico3.3.2025 17:00:00 CET | Press release
TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / March 3, 2025 / Polaris Renewable Energy Inc. (TSX:PIF) ("Polaris" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that it has closed on the Equity Capital Contribution Agreement ("ECCA") and LLC Agreement with respect to Punta Lima Wind Farm LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of Santander Bank N.A. -"Santander"-). The project is an operating onshore wind farm called Punta Lima Wind Farm ("PLWF" or the "Project") with a nameplate capacity of 26.0 MW's located in the Municipality of Naguabo, Puerto Rico. The Project was re-constructed and recommissioned by Santander and has a 20-year power purchase agreement ("PPA") in place with Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) terminating in March 2044. The transaction has been completed using a tax-equity structure which results in Polaris becoming the manager and operator of the Project with a controlling equity interest and Santander retaining a tax equity interest in the Project. The transaction was subject to cus
MBZUAI Unveils First-of-its-Kind Undergraduate Program in Artificial Intelligence Designed to Empower Future AI Leaders3.3.2025 12:30:00 CET | Press release
ABU DHABI, AE / ACCESS Newswire / March 3, 2025 / The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) is disrupting the AI education landscape with the launch of its first-ever undergraduate program. Unlike traditional AI curricula, this Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence program blends core AI expertise with leadership, entrepreneurship, industry experience, and real-world impact. MBZUAI's undergraduate program is innovative and multidisciplinary as it will equip students with a strong foundation in AI fields such as machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics, and provide cross-disciplinary training in business, finance, industrial design, market analysis, management, and communication. Students will benefit from a hands-on experiential curriculum to develop an entrepreneurial mindset to lead AI transformations. The goal is to develop visionary thinkers and multi-faceted problem-solvers who will lead the AI evolution globa
CORRECTION FROM SOURCE: General Atomics Acquires North Point Defense3.3.2025 10:10:00 CET | Press release
Change: The first sentence of the second paragraph has been removed. SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA / ACCESS Newswire / March 3, 2025 / General Atomics (GA) today announced the strategic acquisition of North Point Defense, Inc. (NPD), a leading provider of Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) exploitation software and sensor integration, by General Atomics Integrated Intelligence, Inc. (GA-III), formerly known as General Atomics Commonwealth Computer Research, Inc. This acquisition enhances GA's capabilities in the rapidly evolving SIGINT field, positioning the company to deliver advanced ISR solutions for air, sea, ground, and space platforms. From concept to deployment, NPD delivers AI/ML-based autonomous signal processing and data dissemination solutions providing real-time actionable intelligence, supporting tactical and national mission priorities. "Joining GA represents an incredible opportunity to enhance our impact in delivering cutting-edge SIGINT solutions in support of national and tactical
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom