US Coast Guard Orders Its First Four MQ-9B Drones for $247.8 Million

The U.S. Coast Guard placed a $247.8 million order for four General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft and associated ground-control equipment. The purchase, made through an existing U.S. Customs and Border Protection procurement vehicle, marks the Coast Guard's first acquisition of its own MQ-9B fleet after years of operational cooperation on unmanned surveillance. The long-endurance aircraft are intended to support maritime domain awareness, counter-narcotics patrols, search and rescue and the detection of illegal fishing activity. Specific delivery dates, operating bases and sensor configurations were not detailed in the announcement, and the aircraft have not yet entered service.