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GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

30th July 2024 (10 Topics)
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MQ-9B Predator Drone Deal

Context

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) reviewed and approved amendments to the deal for 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) from general Atomics of the US.

Key Decisions

  • The DAC approved amendments to the deal for 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from General Atomics, USA.
  • Details: The amendments are related to indigenous content and other aspects. The deal includes 15 Sea Guardians for the Indian Navy and 16 Sky Guardians (eight each for the Indian Army and Air Force).
  • Cost: Estimated at $3.99 billion.
  • Global Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) Facility: General Atomics is expected to establish a maintenance facility in India as part of the MQ-9B UAV deal, which will contribute to offset obligations.
  • The MQ-9B drones are planned to be deployed at four places, including INS Rajaji near Chennai and Porbandar in Gujarat, by the Indian Navy, while the other two services will keep them jointly at two bases in Sarsawa and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh at Air Force bases due to long runway requirements.

Fact Box: MQ-9B drones

  • Manufactured by: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
  • The MQ-9B drones is the first hunter-killer unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed for long-endurance and high-altitude surveillance.
  • They boast of an endurance of over 27 hours, and can operate up to 50,000 feet.
  • Moreover, they have a 240 Knots True Airspeed (KTAS) and a 1,746 kg payload capacity, including 1,361 kg of external stores.
  • The drone is equipped to carry multiple mission payloads including
    • Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR)
    • Lynx multi-mode Radar
    • multi-mode maritime surveillance radar
    • Electronic Support Measures (ESM)
    • laser designators
    • various weapons and payload packages
  • The UAV is remotely operated by a two-member crew, comprising the pilot and an aircrew member to operate the sensors and weapons.
  • Countries using MQ-9B: Currently, the drones are in use by the US forces, NASA, the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force, the Italian Air Force, the French Air Force and the Spanish Air Force. Japan also inducted the MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones in April last year.

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