Whidbey Island has been central to SeaGuardian operations during exercises such as Northern Edge and Integrated Battle Problem 2023, as well as carrier pre-deployment training. In those cases, the aircraft was flown remotely while operating over Hawaiian, Southern California, and Alaskan airspace, but this visit marked the first time the platform itself landed at the station.
Utilising its advanced Detect and Avoid System, the SeaGuardian launched from Palmdale, California, and flew into Whidbey Island without requiring special handling procedures. The system enabled the unmanned aircraft to operate in U.S. national airspace in the same way as piloted aircraft.
During the Open House, GA-ASI highlighted the aircraft’s ASW payloads, autonomous take-off and landing capability, and onboard signals intelligence and maritime radar packages. The MQ-9B was also fitted with additional pylons to demonstrate its external carriage capacity, supporting a range of payloads and weapons.
“I’m pleased to support the Navy’s continuing public engagement efforts with our MQ-9B and appreciate NAS Whidbey leadership’s ongoing support of SeaGuardian operations. I look forward to continuing to work together as we demonstrate the capability of this multi-faceted UAS and fill critical capability gaps,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander.
The event was led by Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) AIRWorks, which is overseeing the development of the MQ-9B for the U.S. Navy. AIRWorks has partnered with GA-ASI in multiple demonstrations, including the Rim of the Pacific exercise in 2024, and serves as Lead Systems Integrator and Programme Manager for the Navy’s Operational Evaluation of the MQ-9B in 2026.
With international demand already established, GA-ASI anticipates growing interest in the SeaGuardian. The company emphasised its ability to deliver advanced maritime capabilities at a lower cost than traditional manned platforms.
