General Atomics Advances MQ-9B SeaGuardian for US Navy Anti-Submarine Missions
On January 13, 2026, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) confirmed the ongoing development of anti-submarine warfare (ASM) capabilities for the MQ-9B SeaGuardian drone, following a test campaign conducted on December 17, 2025, with the US Navy.
The tests demonstrated the SeaGuardian's ability to deploy a variety of acoustic buoys from Sonobuoy Dispensing Systems (SDS) mounted on the drone. The US Navy is expected to authorize GA-ASI to deploy the SeaGuardian for ASM operations in the coming weeks.
The SeaGuardian has already participated in major US Navy exercises and aims to operate alongside P-8 Poseidon aircraft. Germany announced plans to acquire eight MQ-9B SeaGuardians, set for delivery starting in 2028, while other countries like Japan, India, and Denmark are also involved in acquiring the drone. The MQ-9B family has seen commercial success in Europe through NATO cooperation mechanisms.
