What is the function of the HDD in the MQ-9 Systems?

The function of the hard disk drive (HDD) in the MQ-9 systems is primarily to store mission data. The HDD plays a crucial role in capturing various types of information generated during missions, such as imagery, video feeds, sensor data, and logs of flight activities. This stored data can be critical for post-mission analysis, intelligence gathering, and assessing the effectiveness of operations.

While display of telemetries is essential for operation, it is typically managed by other system components that retrieve necessary operational data from the HDD and present it to operators. Similarly, GPS tracking is handled by dedicated navigation systems, and payload control is managed through different solutions specifically designed for that purpose. Hence, the primary role of the HDD is firmly rooted in data storage, facilitating the comprehensive documentation of mission parameters and outcomes.