MQ-9B SeaGuardian Flies in U.S. Airspace Like Piloted Aircraft Thanks to Collision Avoidance Tech

['Parth Satam', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow', 'Class', 'Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus', 'Display Inline', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Where Img', 'Height Auto Max-Width', 'Vertical-Align Bottom .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Vertical-Align Middle .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar Is .Alignleft .Alignright'] The Aviationist 2025-09-20 00:00:00

Using the Detect and Avoid System, the MQ-9B operated in U.S. airspace like any other piloted aircraft, without the need for the special handling usually required for UAS. Effectively, it was able to operate in the national airspace like any other piloted aircraft.”Was the Guardian software used? In fact, NAWCAD explains that Guardian detects nearby aircraft and alerts the operators, and uses multiple approved sensors to track aircraft in real time. OriginsGuardian was developed following an FAA requirement mandating safer proximity flight operations of unmanned aircraft alongside both civilian and military manned aircraft. The UK also recently certified the Protector RG1 unmanned aircraft to safely fly it in non-segregated airspace.