MQ-9B SkyGuardian

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UAV / UCAV

MQ-9B SkyGuardian

General Atomics’ NATO-certifiable MALE drone

The MQ-9B SkyGuardian is a medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aircraft made by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems in the United States, first flown in 2016. A larger evolution of the MQ-9A Reaper, it is designed to fly in civil airspace.

United States|General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
40+ hEndurance6,000 kmRange24 mWingspan2,155 kgPayload12,000 mService CeilingIn ProductionStatus

Overview

General Atomics developed the MQ-9B, once called the Certifiable Predator B, as a bigger successor to the MQ-9A Reaper. It first flew in 2016 and comes as the overland SkyGuardian and the maritime SeaGuardian with search radar and sonobuoy dispenser. One Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop of 900 shp powers a wingspan of about 24 m, against 20 m for the MQ-9A. Endurance is advertised at over 40 hours, with a ceiling of about 12,000 m. It is built to NATO STANAG 4671 standards with detect-and-avoid radar.

Up to nine hardpoints carry about 2,155 kg, including Hellfire, Brimstone and GBU-12 weapons. The UK’s RAF Protector RG1 entered service in 2024, with 16 ordered. India signed in October 2024 for 31 aircraft worth about 3.5 billion US dollars, with deliveries from 2029. Japan’s Coast Guard flies SeaGuardians, and Belgium, Poland, Canada and Taiwan have announced orders. MQ-9B deliveries are in the low dozens against more than 300 Reapers. Unit price is typically cited at 30 to 40 million dollars.

MQ-9B SkyGuardian
Photo: United States Air Force / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Key Specifications

ManufacturerGeneral Atomics Aeronautical Systems
CountryUnited States
ManufacturerGeneral Atomics
CountryUS
First Flight2016
Entered Service2024
StatusIn Production
Crew0
Length11.7 m
Wingspan24 m
Max Takeoff Weight5,670 kg
Payload2,155 kg
EngineHoneywell TPE331-10 (900 shp)
Cruise Speed~390 km/h
Endurance40+ h
Service Ceiling12,000 m
Hardpoints9

Variants

MQ-9B SkyGuardian

The MQ-9B SkyGuardian is the overland version for surveillance and strike.

MQ-9B SeaGuardian

The MQ-9B SeaGuardian is the maritime version with search radar and a sonobuoy dispenser.

MQ-9B Protector RG1

The MQ-9B Protector RG1 is the version ordered by the Royal Air Force.

Operators

United StatesUnited KingdomJapanIndia

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the MQ-9B SkyGuardian cost?

The MQ-9B SkyGuardian is typically cited at 30 to 40 million US dollars per aircraft. A full system with ground stations costs more, and estimates vary by contract.

How long can the MQ-9B fly?

The MQ-9B SkyGuardian is advertised with an endurance of over 40 hours, or about 30 hours with weapons. Its service ceiling is about 12,000 m and its range is about 6,000 km.

Which countries use the MQ-9B?

The MQ-9B is used by the United Kingdom as the Protector RG1 and by Japan’s Coast Guard, with the Indian Navy leasing two SeaGuardians. India, Belgium, Poland, Canada and Taiwan have announced orders, with delivery dates varying.

MQ-9B vs Bayraktar Akıncı: which is better?

The General Atomics MQ-9B has longer endurance, at 40 hours, and is designed for NATO civil airspace certification, while the Bayraktar Akıncı is a Turkish drone already in service. Türkiye has not bought the MQ-9B.

How many MQ-9B has India ordered?

India signed in October 2024 for 31 MQ-9B drones worth about 3.5 billion US dollars. A reported split is 15 SeaGuardian for the Navy and 16 SkyGuardian for the Air Force and Army, with deliveries from 2029.

What weapons can the MQ-9B carry?

The MQ-9B SkyGuardian can carry Hellfire missiles, the British Brimstone and GBU-12 bombs on up to nine hardpoints, with a payload of about 2,155 kg. The SeaGuardian also carries sonobuoys.