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GA-ASI and SoftBank test MQ-9B disaster relief communications system
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has successfully flight-tested a new communications payload on its MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft. Developed in collaboration with SoftBank Corp., the system is known as the Disaster Relief Unit (DRU).
The DRU communications pod is designed to provide connectivity and mobile network relay capabilities in regions where cellular infrastructure has been destroyed or is unavailable, such as during floods or other natural disasters. The test flight, which featured the integrated pod, was conducted on July 27.
GA-ASI President David R. Alexander noted that the capability is expected to be of significant interest to MQ-9B operators for emergency communications and disaster recovery applications.
Entities
David R. Alexander · General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. · MQ-9B · SoftBank Corp.
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] GA-ASI completed a successful flight test of an MQ-9B aircraft equipped with a new communications payload. libyanewswire.com · www.gazeteabc.com · www.newsonline24.net
- [● 3 SOURCES] SoftBank Corp. developed the new communications payload. libyanewswire.com · www.gazeteabc.com · www.newsonline24.net
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Disaster Relief Unit (DRU) communications pod provides connectivity in areas lacking cellular service. libyanewswire.com · www.gazeteabc.com · www.newsonline24.net
- [● 3 SOURCES] The DRU allows the MQ-9B to function as a mobile aerial network relay tower. libyanewswire.com · www.gazeteabc.com · www.newsonline24.net
- [● 3 SOURCES] The flight test of the integrated pod took place on July 27. libyanewswire.com · www.gazeteabc.com · www.newsonline24.net