Navy Recognition
Date: November 2020
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Citing Reuters, the U.S. State Department could formally notify Congress of the sale later this week, which will include ground stations and training.
The MQ-9B SkyGuardian is the latest variant of the MQ-9 series RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) currently operated by the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, France, and soon Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium. MQ-9B adds several key enhancements to the proven MQ-9 series allowing for better performance, lower operating and sustainment costs and access to all classes of airspace.
The MQ-9B flight operations are controlled from a single trailer containing pilot and payload operator consoles. Its architecture provides separation between flight and mission critical functions. Flight critical functions are performed using off-the-shelf avionics and flight computers running GA-ASI's certifiable Design Assurance Level software. The CGCS features a Pro Line Fusion® integrated avionics system from Collins Aerospace, the Abaco FORCE2C flight computer, as well as all the sensors and additional payload control for MQ-9B.
Its Common Operational Picture (COP) and improved display technology offer significantly improved situational awareness and reduced pilot workload. Its intuitive interfaces enhance the decision-making process by helping the pilot identify potentially hazardous situations more quickly and easily. In 2019, the CGCS successfully completed its first end-to-end flight with MQ-9B.
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