The US Coast Guard has ordered four MQ-9B long-range uncrewed aircraft systems from General Atomics under a $247.8m US Customs and Border Protection contract.
The order, placed on 25 September, also covers ground control stations and associated support equipment.
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In a statement on 9 October, the Coast Guard stated that the aircraft will extend its surveillance reach over offshore waters and support border protection, search and rescue, counter-drug operations and action against illegal and unregulated fishing.
The service said the systems would also improve its ability to gather and share intelligence, conduct surveillance and support reconnaissance missions at sea.
The US Coast Guard robotics and autonomous systems assistant commandant and program executive officer Anthony Antognoli said: “The MQ-9B long-range unmanned aircraft systems will expand our reach and strengthen our ability to protect the nation.
“This investment will give Coast Guard crews a longer-range view of our maritime domain, helping them detect threats earlier, make better-informed decisions and act faster across our missions.”
The MQ-9B SeaGuardian is the maritime variant of General Atomics’ remotely piloted aircraft system.
According to the company, the uncrewed aircraft can fly beyond line of sight using satellite communications for more than 30 hours, depending on configuration, and is designed to operate in different weather conditions while integrating into civil airspace.
Potential missions listed for the system include humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, search and rescue, law enforcement, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, airborne mine countermeasures, long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and over-the-horizon targeting.
In its standard maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare configuration, the aircraft has a stated mission radius of 1,200 nautical miles.
In fiscal year 2026, MQ-9A aircraft from US Customs and Border Protection, operating with the Joint Interagency Task Force South, supported efforts that led to the seizure of around 60,700 pounds of illegal drugs worth $306m and the apprehension of approximately 20 smugglers.
The purchase of new MQ-9B aircraft is being funded through fiscal year 2025 budget reconciliation legislation and fiscal year 2026 appropriations.
The reconciliation measure provided nearly $25bn for the Coast Guard, while the service has ordered approximately $16.3bn in assets and capabilities through that funding, the Coast Guard said.
