GA-ASI demos disaster relief comms system

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has completed a flight test using its MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) featuring a new communications payload developed by Japanese telecommunications and technology operator, SoftBank Corp.

The Disaster Relief Unit (DRU) communications pod was integrated onto an MQ-9B and flown by GA-ASI.

It can be used for disaster relief and recovery communications in areas where cellular service is not available.

How the aircraft operates and secures connectivity in extremely challenging conditions

DRU lets an MQ-9B serve as a mobile network relay tower in the sky. The aircraft can establish connectivity and communications in an area where cellular towers have been damaged, for example in a situation where an area has been impacted by a flood or another natural disaster.

GA-ASI President David R. Alexander said: “This is an exciting achievement for GA-ASI and SoftBank. It’s been a great experience working with SoftBank and we believe this capability will be of interest to many of our MQ-9B operators for disaster relief and emergency communications applications.”

MQ-9Bs are multi-mission uncrewed aircraft that can operate in all weather conditions. MQ-9Bs are being flown by operators in the United Kingdom and Belgium, as well as the Japan Coast Guard. In addition, MQ-9B has been selected by Canada, Denmark, Poland, Germany, Qatar, Taiwan and India.

GA-ASI’s Predator line of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) has flown for over 30 years and includes the MQ-9A Reaper, MQ-1C Gray Eagle, MQ-20 Avenger, MQ-9B SkyGuardian / SeaGuardian, XQ-67A and FQ-42A, which have collectively logged more than nine million flight hours.