On December 3, 2024, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) announced that the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has chosen the MQ-9B SeaGuardian for its Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle program. The exact number of SeaGuardian platforms to be procured by the JMSDF has not been disclosed. This decision follows the JMSDF’s use of SeaGuardian UAVs since May 2023 as part of its Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) System Trial Operations Project. The SeaGuardian has been tested in various operations, including evaluating whether UAVs can replace some missions traditionally performed by manned aircraft.
