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| US Navy Deploys MQ-9B SeaGuardian Drone in Exercise Integrated Battle Program 2023 (IBP-23) |
Washington - The US Navy (USN) is using the MQ-9B Sea Guardian drone to support exercise Integrated Battle Problem 2023 (IBP-23) this May. This Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) was deployed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) as the manufacturer of the MQ-9B is working with USN Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 38, 49, 71 and 75, to carry out a series of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercises.
GA-ASI flies the company's MQ-9B SeaGuardian Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) under USN Flight Clearance. Meanwhile HSM Squadron flew MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from Naval Air Station North Island off the coast of San Diego, California. The exercise will be held on 24-25 April 2023.
In its release, GA-ASI stated that the exercise was focused on Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) to carry out ASW cooperation in the Southern California Offshore ASW region. Over the course of two days, MH-60 dropped sonobuoys to detect moving training targets. Using the combined SeaGuardian and MH-60R concept, target correlation and location are achieved quickly and tactical report (TACREP).
The results were then sent to the Commander of Task Force (CTF) 34 Theater ASW Center at Naval Station Pearl Harbor via the MQ-9B crew. The CTF directed coordinated constructive destruction of the submarine during a simulation with a torpedo dropped from the MH-60. The ASW payload on SeaGuardian uses the latest version of the General Dynamics Mission Systems Sonobuoy Processor.
Exercise IBP-23 is the third time that GA-ASI's MQ-9B SeaGuardian has participated. The exercise is expected to generate a war advantage for the Fleet by providing an operational environment in which to work through tactics, techniques, procedures, and command and control to improve and enhance warfare. The IBP Fleet Series is led by the US Pacific Fleet Commander and is conducted under the command of the US 3rd Fleet Commander.