GA-ASI攜手軟銀測試MQ-9B災害通信莢艙　打造空中行動基地台

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MQ-9B（取自通用原子網站）

美國通用原子航空系統公司（General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.，GA-ASI）宣布，已完成搭載日本軟銀（SoftBank Corp.）開發新型通信酬載的MQ-9B遙控飛行航空器（RPA）飛行測試。這套「災害救援單元」（Disaster Relief Unit，DRU）通信莢艙，可在行動通信服務中斷或基礎設施受損的區域建立通信網路，提供災害救援與復原期間所需的通信能力。

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has completed a flight test of its MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) equipped with a new communications payload developed by Japan’s SoftBank Corp. The Disaster Relief Unit (DRU) communications pod is designed to restore connectivity in areas where cellular services are unavailable, supporting communications during disaster relief and recovery operations.

此次DRU通信莢艙整合至MQ-9B後，由GA-ASI於7月27日執行飛行測試。測試重點在於驗證無人機搭載該系統後的空中通信中繼能力，進一步探索MQ-9B在傳統偵察、監視任務之外，支援災害應變與公共安全任務的應用潛力。

The DRU communications pod was integrated onto an MQ-9B and flown by GA-ASI on 27 July. The test focused on demonstrating the aircraft’s ability to serve as an airborne communications relay, while also exploring the potential for the MQ-9B to support disaster response and public-safety missions beyond its traditional surveillance roles.

MQ-9B化身「空中基地台」　災區恢復通信

MQ-9B Becomes an Airborne Cellular Relay for Disaster Zones

DRU的核心概念，是讓MQ-9B成為部署於空中的行動網路中繼平台。當地面基地台因洪水、地震或其他自然災害受損，導致當地行動通信服務中斷時，搭載DRU的MQ-9B可在空中建立通信連結，協助恢復受災區域的網路覆蓋。

The DRU is designed to allow the MQ-9B to operate as a mobile network relay in the sky. When ground-based cellular towers are damaged by flooding or other natural disasters and communications services are disrupted, an MQ-9B carrying the DRU could establish airborne connectivity and help restore network coverage over affected areas.

相較於等待地面通信基礎設施完成搶修，無人機空中中繼的方式可將通信設備快速帶入災區上空，利用MQ-9B長時間滯空能力提供臨時通信支援，進一步提升救援單位及受災民眾維持通信的能力。

Rather than relying solely on the restoration of damaged ground infrastructure, an airborne relay can rapidly position communications equipment over an affected area. Combined with the MQ-9B’s long-endurance capability, the approach could provide temporary communications support and help maintain connectivity for emergency responders and affected communities.

GA-ASI總裁David R. Alexander表示，此次測試是GA-ASI與軟銀合作的重要成果，並認為這項能力未來可受到MQ-9B用戶關注，尤其適用於災害救援及緊急通信等任務。

GA-ASI President David R. Alexander described the demonstration as an important achievement for GA-ASI and SoftBank, adding that the capability could be of interest to MQ-9B operators seeking disaster relief and emergency communications applications.

MQ-9B持續擴大任務範圍　從ISR延伸至災害應變

MQ-9B Expands Beyond ISR Toward Disaster Response

MQ-9B是一款具備全天候操作能力的多用途無人航空器，可長時間執行監視、偵察及其他任務。隨著DRU等新型酬載的整合，MQ-9B的任務用途也有望由傳統情報、監視與偵察（ISR）進一步延伸至通信中繼及災害應變。

The MQ-9B is a multi-mission uncrewed aircraft designed to operate in all weather conditions and conduct long-endurance surveillance, reconnaissance and other missions. With the integration of payloads such as the DRU, the MQ-9B’s mission set could expand beyond traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) to include communications relay and disaster-response operations.

這種模組化酬載概念，也讓同一型無人機可依照任務需求配置不同設備，在軍事任務與民間應變場景之間切換。對需要長時間監視、廣域部署及快速抵達偏遠區域的任務而言，空中通信中繼能力可成為MQ-9B多用途運用的一項延伸。

The modular payload approach also allows the same aircraft to be configured for different missions across military and civil-response scenarios. For operations requiring long endurance, wide-area coverage and rapid access to remote locations, airborne communications relay capability could become another dimension of the MQ-9B’s multi-mission role.

英、比及日本已操作　MQ-9B持續擴大國際用戶

MQ-9B Expands Its International User Base

目前MQ-9B已由英國、比利時及日本海上保安廳等用戶操作。此外，加拿大、丹麥、波蘭、德國、卡達、台灣及印度也已選定MQ-9B，顯示該型平台的國際部署範圍持續擴大。

MQ-9B aircraft are currently operated by users in the United Kingdom, Belgium and the Japan Coast Guard. The aircraft has also been selected by Canada, Denmark, Poland, Germany, Qatar, Taiwan and India, demonstrating the continued expansion of the platform’s international user base.

此次GA-ASI與軟銀合作測試DRU，則進一步展示MQ-9B除軍事監視與偵察之外，在災害救援與緊急通信領域的潛在用途。若相關技術後續持續成熟，MQ-9B將可透過不同任務酬載，進一步發揮長航時無人平台在複雜環境中的通信與支援價值。

The GA-ASI and SoftBank DRU demonstration further highlights the potential for the MQ-9B to support disaster relief and emergency communications in addition to military surveillance and reconnaissance. As the technology matures, different mission payloads could allow the MQ-9B to further exploit the advantages of a long-endurance unmanned platform for communications and support operations in challenging environments.