National RQ-312DS

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The National RQ-312 DS is an unmanned aerial system (UAS) developed by AAI Corporation (a subsidiary of Textron Inc.) for the United States Navy and Marine Corps. The RQ-312 DS (RQ being the designation for reconnaissance aircraft and DS standing for deployable systems) is also known by its NATO designation, SeaGuardian, and is a variant of the land-based Insight™ RQ-21A UAS.The RQ-312 DS is designed to provide real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to naval and marine vessels at sea. Its primary assets include an electro-optical/infra-red (EO/IR) sensor, which allows for high-resolution imaging during day or night, and a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensor, which provides all-weather, day or night imaging.This UAS enables naval and marine forces to navigate and operate in areas that would otherwise be dangerous or impossible due to obstacles such as heavy weather, restricted airspace, or rugged terrain. The RQ-312 DS can also provide situational awareness and diagnostic support for naval operations, mine-hunting missions, and Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts.The RQ-312 DS has a wingspan of 15 meters and weighs approximately 350 kilograms. It can fly for up to 16 hours at a maximum altitude of 7,600 meters and at a maximum speed of approximately 160 knots (300 km/h). The UAS is operated by a crew of two and the system includes a ground control station and an optional line-of-sight mission command center.The RQ-312 DS has been deployed in several naval operations, including supporting the USS Abraham Lincoln’s carrier strike group (CSG) and mine-countermeasure operations in the Persian Gulf. Its capabilities have been praised by the U.S. Navy, with officers citing the RQ-312 DS as a “game-changer” for airborne reconnaissance in littoral regions.