The MQ-9B drone is a variant of the MQ-9 'Reaper' which was used to launch a modified version of the Hellfire missile that eliminated al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in the heart of Kabul in July 2022.

An MQ-9B Sea Guardian drone, leased by the Indian Navy, encountered a technical failure during a surveillance mission near Chennai and was safely ditched at sea without any injuries. This event occurs as India is finalizing plans to acquire 31 MQ-9B Predator drones from the U.

The massive drone weighs well over 4 tons (4,000kg), has a wingspan of 24 metres and measures 11.7 metres in length, and can fly at altitudes of 40,000 feet (which is also the maximum altitude at which most commercial planes fly).

Capable of operating at an altitude of 40,000 feet, the MQ-9B UAVs have an endurance of 40 hours and a range of more than 5,000 nautical miles.

An Indian Navy MQ-9B Sea Guardian drone, leased from General Atomics, experienced a technical failure during a surveillance mission near Chennai. The drone was safely ditched at sea. The Navy is investigating the incident as India plans to procure 31 MQ-9B Predator drones for enhanced surveillance.