The Sea Guardian are the maritime version of the MQ-9B Predator drones and the other version is the “Sky Guardian.” The MQ-9Bs are high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), capable of carrying both surveillance and precision strike missions, in addition to other tasks. These drones are expected to be inducted into the forces over a period of four years.As per the agreement, confirmed the sources, General Atomics will also establish a Comprehensive Global MRO (maintenance, repair and operations) facility in India to support the country’s long-term goals of indigenous production. The MQ-9Bs can loiter up to 50,000 ft, remain airborne for over 35 hours and carry four Hellfire missiles besides around 450 kg of other bombs.Countries that operate MQ-9Bs are Japan, Belgium, the UK and the US.In an earlier report the TNIE explained the use of drones like MQ-9B and the overall aspects of this technology.
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