As reported by the American corporation RTX, during the international exercise RIMPAC 2024 (Exercise Rim of the Pacific), in a task related to sinking ships (SINKEX – Sink Exercise), the General Atomics MQ-9B SeaGuardian MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) unmanned aerial vehicle supported allied forces’ operations with the Raytheon SeaVue maritime multi-role radar.
Photo: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI)
The SeaVue radar (SVMR; SeaVue Multi-role Radar) demonstrated high effectiveness in detecting maritime targets at long distances during an aerial surveillance and imaging task over the exercise area on July 19 of this year, transmitting collected data to a two-seat Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet multirole fighter of the U.S. Navy, which took off from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68).
The data were used to locate the decommissioned ex-USS Tarawa (LHA-1), a Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship retired from service in 2009, which was subsequently sunk using a Lockheed Martin AGM-158C LRASM (Long Range Anti-Ship Missile) launched from an F/A-18 aircraft. During the exercise, the decommissioned ex-USS Dubuque (LPD-8), an Austin-class amphibious transport dock retired in 2011, was also sunk.
“SVMR proved its ability to capture high fidelity targeting data needed for successful weapons engagement in a maritime environment,” said Bryan Rosselli, president of Advanced Products & Solutions at Raytheon. “The live-fire exercise enabled us to test and validate SVMR to ensure it can provide the situational awareness required in an operational environment – allowing faster decision making and more efficient kill chains.”
SVMR is a modern, software-defined radar that provides all-weather surveillance and excellent performance in multiple missions for both manned and unmanned aircraft, including airplane, helicopter, and aerostat platforms.
Leveraging over 60 years of innovation in surveillance radar technology, the SVMR provides extended range and small target detection from operational altitudes, enabling a more efficient and effective method of monitoring and protecting friendly forces. It features a modular and scalable architecture, characterized by cost-effective upgrades and operation, and has been developed and extensively flight-tested in both low and high-altitude surveillance modes.
According to information from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., the unmanned aerial vehicle participating in the exercise was also carrying SNC’s Electronic Support Measures (ESM) sensors, as well as an Automatic Identification System (AIS) and an autonomous Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) support package.
