MQ-9B SeaGuardian
Type: Combat UAV (UCAV)
Domain: air
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
Overview
Morocco has ordered the MQ-9B SeaGuardian maritime surveillance and armed UAV, making it one of the first African nations to acquire this advanced system. The SeaGuardian is the maritime variant of the MQ-9B optimized for long-endurance ocean patrol with a multimode maritime surface search radar, automatic identification system receiver, and magnetic anomaly detector for submarine detection. Morocco will use the system for Atlantic and Mediterranean EEZ surveillance, counter-narcotics, border monitoring, and potential armed strike missions with Hellfire missiles and GBU-38 guided bombs.
Technical Specifications
| Length | 11.0 m |
|---|---|
| Payload | 1,746 kg (total) |
| Sensors | MTS-B multi-spectral sensor; Lynx SAR/GMTI radar; AIS receiver; MAD |
| Armament | Up to 4× Hellfire; GBU-38 JDAM; 6 hardpoints |
| Wingspan | 24.0 m |
| Endurance | 40+ hours |
| Max Speed | 440 km/h |
| Service Ceiling | 12,192 m |
Operators
- Australia
- Germany
- Morocco
- Taiwan
- United Kingdom
- United States
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