General Atomics to Demo Guardian RPA in Japan

General Atomics‘ aeronautical systems business will demonstrate a remotely piloted aircraft in Japan over the next three weeks in an effort to promote the vehicle’s civil and scientific applications.

Demonstration flights of the Guardian RPA will take place on Iki Island and aim to gather data for multiple government agencies as part of scientific research efforts, General Atomics said Tuesday.

Guardian will conduct 10 five-hour missions that cover meteorological, disaster relief and oceanic observations; marine accidents and rescue support; and air space management and communications support.

The aircraft uses a maritime surface-search radar, optical and infrared video cameras and a collision-avoidance technology.

Interested spectators can watch the demonstration flights beginning on May 13.

Guardian is the maritime variant of General Atomics’ Predator B.