The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) has signed a contract to acquire two SeaGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), with delivery expected in 2025, according to a press release.
This purchase follows the JCG’s existing Company-Owned, Contractor-Operated agreement with GA-ASI, which has been in place since April 2022.
The SeaGuardians have already played a crucial role in various JCG missions, including search and rescue operations and disaster response efforts, such as during the 7.6 magnitude earthquake earlier this year near the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture.
They were also used for maritime surveillance during the 2023 G-7 Summit in Hiroshima. GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue highlighted the efficiency and effectiveness of the SeaGuardian in these operations, stating, “Since JCG started operating SeaGuardians, they have been used for various JCG missions… and the system has performed efficiently and effectively.”
The SeaGuardian is a medium-altitude, long-endurance RPA system capable of flying for 24 hours or more, depending on its configuration.
To further enhance its capabilities, GA-ASI has bolstered its Maritime Wide Area Surveillance (MWAS) for Japan with Optix+, a software suite that integrates data from SeaGuardian sensors and other sources to provide a comprehensive surveillance picture.
This functionality,s ay the company, allows for real-time tasking and direction of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) information, enabling the automatic detection of anomalous behaviors over water.
Isn’t this essentially the spec for our Protectors?
Yes, but using an AESA surface scan radar from Leonardo and with other marinisation to allow it to operate low over the sea. Can be fitted with torpedoes, sonobuoy dispensers and any weapons also on the land type in exchange for a slight drop in endurance relative to the plain version. They can be fitted in “less than a day” with the STOL kit that allows it to fly off our carriers with a further drop in endurance and range. An obvious cheaper alternative to buying extra P8s, with the bonus that if we also bought the wing kits part… Read more »
Yes agree, the radar also has an AEW capability which would be very useful for QE class.
I think you have to add an extra radar for effective AEW. Leonardo don’t claim AEW for Seaspray, although it has a range of 300 miles for surface targets. You probably have to add an extra fit either underwing or fuselage top (presumably its own variant). A flurry of Google searches found this: GA-ASI have marketed an AEW fitout for MQ9B, at Combined Naval Event 2023. They showed a triple pod fit. Two side scan AESA radar pods, one under each wing, and a central pod with cooling and processing. Article: European Security and defence: the expanding market for AEWC… Read more »
It has air intercept modes on the current radar and GA are already advertising a AEW capability. I’m not suggesting it provides AWACS rather long range low fidelity early warning from very high altitude that can then be combined with a helicopter or drone borne more powerful radar at mid altitude providing more precise tracking.
I think GA are advertising that you can add AEW capability, rather than that the base version has it.
The picture shows the arrangement, the centre auxiliaries pod is where the surface scan radar normally is.
Leonardo brochure states both air modes and air surveillance modes for the sea spray AESA radar.
I have the Leonardo Seaspray 7500E brochure open, the type that goes on Sea guardian. It says that it has a combination of ground mapping and sea search modes, and even weather mapping, but I can’t see any mention of an air-to-air mode.
Why else would GA advertise a separate AEW version?
I can’t list a link but if you google Seaspray radar and get the Leonardo two pager summary under the last line of page two moving target indicator it lists air surveillance along with GMTI as a mode. My understanding is this mode is for tracking low flying objects. Such a mode if the range is indeed 300 miles would be very handy for AEW for a carrier especially when intercepting anti ship missiles. not as a control radar just something to provide warning and targeting for more powerful radars.
Thanks, I’ve had another look at the brochure (we were looking at the same one) and found the bit I had missed before. My mistake, sorry for harping on. Yes, that is a very useful extra capability and it means that a base SeaGuardian, if flying from the carrier, could work not only as a very long range ASuW cordon and ASW asset but provide early warning up the threat axis of e.g. AShMs at low level or drone attacks. A dedicated AEW is obviously still preferable but that is a bit niche relative to the main argument for purchasing… Read more »
No worries, useful to check myself as I read it a while back, I wasn’t too sure but looking at the osprey radar brochure it further defines it as an air to air intercept mode.
Is the Seaspray radar the same that’s in the Wildcat?
Yes, but a larger version to push the range out
I wish when I was 15, I knew as much as you do !
Hope you are enjoying the school holidays, messing around with your mates, chatting up the girls, getting drunk, the usual things that youngsters do.
Make the most of it, you’ll soon be back at school Toby.
Afternoon SB, i don’t think anyone here would complain for a few more P8s either as they’d would be quicker to the station and carry a heavier payloads. Is the UK looking at getting the Sea Guardian at all or even the heavier Triton?
Yes, P8s would be nice, but a SeaGuardian is a fraction of the cost (£30m to £50m marginal cost) and has the added option of operating from the carriers.
I don’t think anything has been said by the UK themselves but it is being very heavily marketed by GA-ASI and is the obvious option for adding mass to maritime patrol.
Yes just adding on a British AESA radar. We should do the same.