The SeaGuardian RPAS

General Atomics Aeronautical states the case for the MQ-9B SeaGuardian RPAS to complement to the P-8A for additional maritime surveillance tasks within New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone and the wider region.

The New Zealand Government plans to acquire capabilities to complement the P-8A for civil support missions that span a number of government ministries and agencies. With New Zealand’s broad area of interest spanning from the equator to the Antarctic, the selected capabilities will require a combination of versatility, range, endurance, tactical persistence, a wide range of sensors, and the ability to communicate and network with mobile and fixed platforms, and with C2 centres.

The General Atomics Aeronautical MQ-9B SeaGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) offers capabilities across all domains and possesses the key attributes required to meet civil support roles, while also having the capability to support the NZDF.

MQ-9B SeaGuardian RPAS.

Image supplied

Illegal Fishing

Illegal fishing is a growing challenge with fish stock reducing around the world and fishing areas being unsustainably harvested. Illegal fishing also brings the risk of disease and damage to the environment.

New Zealand’s abundant fish stocks make it a target for illegal fishing, whether from domestic poachers close in shore, or across the EEZ and areas further abroad, such as the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) region in the Southern Ocean.

SeaGuardian would enable frequent surveillance of inshore and open ocean areas to detect illegal activity and provide real-time reporting to authorities. Fishing zones close to the coast could be surveilled for 30 or more hours on a single SeaGuardian sortie. At a further range, SeaGuardian can provide 10 hours of continuous surveillance in the CCAMLR region.

The use of a powerful maritime surveillance radar, electro-optical system, and other specialised sensors and a suite of communications would ensure evidentiary-standard data and video is provided to relevant authorities in realtime.

SeaGuardian provides more frequent and responsive surveillance when compared to satellites that have a known inherent revisit time and tasking shortcomings. The RPAS can also provide significantly larger coverage, time-onstation, and less cost when compared to small-medium manned fixed-wing surveillance aircraft that do not have the range to reach distant areas of interest.

Counter-Smuggling

People, drug, illegal arms, and natural resource smuggling are becoming more commonplace at sea and on land, requiring better intelligence and networked capabilities to counter these threats. Real-time communications and intelligence, along with stand-off and covert surveillance are essential to combat these activities.

To counter smuggling at sea, SeaGuardian can provide either a distant barrier or area patrols to detect illegal activities or conduct long-duration covert monitoring of vessels.

As an example, two SeaGuardian aircraft are capable of securing a 500nm barrier at a low level, 500 nm from the operating base, for many days. Similarly, depending on the distance from the operating base, SeaGuardian can provide over 30 hours of stand-off, covert surveillance in maritime, littoral or overland environments, while providing continuous real-time data and video to participating units.

The long endurance of SeaGuardian provides the ability to determine patterns of life; something not available if a continuous presence is not maintained.

Search and Rescue

New Zealand’s Search and Rescue Region covers 30 million square kilometres and is one of the largest in the world, spanning from the Equator to the South Pole, and an extensive distance in longitude. This significant search and rescue responsibility requires assets with long-range, long-endurance, the ability to operate in adverse weather conditions, and with reliable communications capabilities to provide real-time information to relevant authorities, survivors and other search assets.

SeaGuardian possesses capabilities which would prove invaluable during SAR events, whether overland, inshore, or at very long distances from New Zealand’s coast. While the SeaGuardian does not have high dash speeds over long distances, working in conjunction with an asset like the P-8A, the SeaGuardian could remain in a search area 1000 nm from its departure base at a low level for over 12 hours.

This endurance cannot be matched by manned, fixed wing aircraft. Further, SeaGuardian’s ability to provide networked communications enables real-time on-scene command and control to direct other search assets over very long periods. SeaGuardian is also capable of deploying SAR stores such as life rafts and supplies.

Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief

New Zealand and its neighbours in the South Pacific are relatively exposed to the threat of natural disasters, such as earthquake, tsunami, cyclone and flood. These events require New Zealand to mobilise capabilities that provide situational awareness to first responders with high quality information in real-time, often when local infrastructure and communications have been destroyed or damaged.

The provision of reliable and continuous information during the subsequent rescue and recovery stages are also vital.

In the event of a natural disaster, SeaGuardian can provide vital capabilities to assist in the management of the situation. The aircraft can operate from a location far removed from the disaster location: a SeaGuardian operating from Ohakea could spend over 30 hours in the vicinity of Christchurch, or around 18 hours overhead Tonga before recovering to base.

The SeaGuardian can employ a range of sensors including high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar and electro-optical systems to provide detailed damage maps using coherent change detection techniques to assess damage, pinpoint survivor locations, and assist in the prioritisation and allocation of rescue resources and the provision of aid.

The platform is also capable of carrying payloads to provide broadband communications and networking in the disaster area over extended periods, particularly for first responders and other emergency and rescue agencies. This ability to provide an unblinking eye for long periods can save lives.

Fire Emergencies

Responses to fire emergencies, whether in domestic, industrial or forest environments, requires high levels of situational awareness for resource management, coordination and safety. Unmanned systems have proven very successful in this role, providing unique perspectives and availability for fire authorities and crews.

SeaGuardian possesses excellent sensor and communications capabilities to assist in fire management. The ability to respond quickly, operate in a fire region for extended periods, operate above other air traffic and smaller drones, assist in the management and location of firefighting resources, assist in fire path or threat area prediction, and provide a communications networking and relay capability, can significantly enhance fire management and save lives and property.

SeaGuardian’s ability to operate in all classes of airspace would ensure its availability when needed and the ability to operate alongside other airborne assets.

Conclusion

A capability to complement the P-8A for civil support tasks to New Zealand Government ministries and agencies will aim to provide assured real-time intelligence to aid timely decision making. Key requirements of such capabilities are likely to include high availability, long range and endurance, multiple and capable sensors, real-time networking and communications capability, ability to operate in adverse weather and cost-effectiveness.

SeaGuardian would significantly contribute to civil missions, including – but not limited to – illegal fishing, smuggling, SAR, HADR and fire emergencies, while also providing a robust, latent ISR role to the NZDF.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems. For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com.