일본 해상보안청, MQ-9B 2대 추가도입

[위종민]

2022년 해상감시무인기로 MQ-9B 시 가디언을 선택해 3기를 계약자 소유, 계약자 운영 임대 방식으로 도입한 해상보안청이 2기를 추가도입하네요. ( When Computers Went To Sea | 일본 해상보안청, 해상감시무인기로 MQ-9B 시 가디언 선택 - Daum 카페 )

노토반도 지진 및 히로시마 G7 정상회의 기간 중 해양감시 등 다양한 임무에서 역량을 발휘했다고 합니다. 가격은 공개되지 않았고, 해양 특화 센서들이 함께 제공된다고 하네요. 

Japan inks deal on 2 General Atomics SeaGuardian surveillance drones - Breaking Defense

Japan inks deal on 2 General Atomics SeaGuardian surveillance drones - Breaking Defense

Japan inks deal on 2 General Atomics SeaGuardian surveillance drones

These two MQ-9s are separate from the three aircraft currently on a contractor-owned, contractor-operated lease to the Japan Coast Guard.

By   Colin Clarkon August 16, 2024 at 9:22 AM

Japan Coast Guard MQ-9B SeaGuardian by General Atomics. (GA-ASI)

SYDNEY — Japan’s Coast Guard has formally signed a contract to purchase two SeaGuardian drones from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.

The deal, a direct commercial sale previewed by the White House in April, was officially signed on Thursday. These two MQ-9s are separate from the three aircraft currently on a contractor-owned, contractor-operated lease to the Japan Coast Guard that began in April 2022. The new aircraft will be delivered next year.

Linden Blue, the GA-ASI CEO, said in a statement that leased MQ-9s “have been used for various JCG missions including supporting search and rescue and disaster response specifically during the 7.6 magnitude earthquake early this year near the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture and maritime surveillance during the 2023 G-7 Summit in Hiroshima, and the system has performed efficiently and effectively.”

A variant of the company’s well-known MQ-9B, SeaGuardian is a medium-altitude, long-endurance system that can fly for 24 hours or more. The drone comes with a suite of maritime-specific sensors.

Japan’s Coast Guard works closely with the Japanese military and can be placed under the authority of the Defense Ministry in time of war. The vast area of Japan’s maritime domain, stretching almost to Taiwan, makes persistent drones especially useful.

No price was disclosed for the latest sale to the Japan Coast Guard.