GA-ASI demonstrates disaster relief comms system with SoftBank Corp.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has completed a successful flight test using its MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) featuring a new communications payload developed by SoftBank Corp., a major Japanese telecommunications and technology operator. The Disaster Relief Unit (DRU) communications pod can be used for disaster relief and recovery communications in areas where cellular service is not available. The pod was integrated onto an MQ-9B and flown by GA-ASI on July 27.

DRU lets an MQ-9B serve as a mobile network relay tower in the sky. The aircraft can establish connectivity and communications in an area where cellular towers have been damaged, as, for example, by a flood or another natural disaster.

"This is an exciting achievement for GA-ASI and SoftBank," said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. "It's been a great experience working with SoftBank, and we believe this capability will be of interest to many of our MQ-9B operators for disaster relief and emergency communications applications."

MQ-9Bs are multi-mission uncrewed aircraft that can operate in all weather conditions. MQ-9Bs are being flown by operators in the United Kingdom and Belgium, as well as the Japan Coast Guard. In addition, MQ-9B has been selected by Canada, Denmark, Poland, Germany, Qatar, Taiwan and India.