Vanguard Magazine

26 JUNE/JULY 2020 www.vanguardcanada.com PersPeCtiVe Sponsored Content Search and rescue Search and rescue missions require im- mediate action with little room for error. A persistent eye in the sky that reinforces or replaces human scanning will increase the response time and success of missions overall. The advanced and long-endur- ance MQ-9B can stay aloft for periods of over 40 hours for constant monitoring, and delivers real-time data in the form of high-definition imagery and video (opti- cal and infrared) for air, ground and mari- time search and rescue missions. Regardless of whether the rescue takes place in inaccessible and complex terrains with adverse weather conditions like the Arctic, or in response to a natural disas- ter, first responders need to quickly un- derstand the extent of the damage and where to send help. MQ-9B would survey the environment and identify victims, and then communicate that information to emergency responders to help save lives. monitoring, tracking and Fighting Fires Canada is one of the most forested coun- tries in the world with 34.8% of its re- gion covered by forest land, according to the State of Canada's Forest Report. The National Forestry Database reports that about 8,000 fires occur each year throughout Canada. The endurance and ISR capabilities allow the MQ-9B to cover this extensive territory. It can de- tect areas at risk for prevention and in the event of a fire, civil authorities and fire- fighters could employ MQ-9B's real-time data feed transmitted to them via satellite to monitor spread, track hot spots and fire lines. In the U.S., GA-ASI's MQ-9 supports the Air National Guard in Cali- rPA for CAnAdA the value of a versatile and affordable MQ-9B SkyGuardian is equipped with GA- ASI's Lynx Multi-Mode Radar that captures high-resolution imagery and video through cloud, rain, dust and fog for overland and maritime missions. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.'s (GA-ASI) new MQ-9B SkyGuardian is proposed to fulfill Canada's RPAS Program Requirements. mQ-9B SkyGuardian is the proven multi-mission platform designed and built to deliver reliable and persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (isr), enabling decisive action to protect canada's vast territory, including its extensive coastline. it's a sustainable solution that provides 24/7 coverage for ultimate readiness in today's complex security environments – without the risk to human life posed by manned aircraft. canada's geographic location presents a unique set of security needs that currently require a large amount of manpower and assets. these needs should be addressed by a multi-role platform such as mQ-9B. this would allow the nation to increase situational awareness in the arctic while executing these important civil and national security missions.

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