US Coast Guard orders four MQ-9B UAVs and six C-130Js
The acquisitions are part of a $3 billion recapitalisation of the Coast Guard’s aviation fleet.
The US Coast Guard (USCG) is announcing major new aircraft acquisitions, including the service’s first large uncrewed platform.
The USCG on 9 October said it placed an order with UAS manufacturer General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for four MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft via an existing contract with US Customs and Border Protection.
The MQ-9B is the successor to the combat-proven MQ-9A Reaper, which has seen frontline service around the world performing intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike missions. Unlike its predecessor, the MQ-9B is certified for use in civilian airspace, making it appealing to law enforcement and emergency response agencies, as well as military services.
It is available in the land-based SkyGuardian and maritime SeaGuardian variants.
“The MQ-9B long-range unmanned aircraft systems will expand our reach and strengthen our ability to protect the nation,” says Anthony Antognoli, assistant commandant of the USCG. “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 USCG says it will deploy the MQ-9Bs in support of multiple mission sets, including monitoring offshore waters, protecting borders and critical infrastructure, supporting search and rescue efforts, combating drug trafficking and countering illegal and unregulated fishing.
The new UAS fleet will also support deep-sea reconnaissance and intelligence collection.
Additional HC-130Js are also in the works, increasing the US Coast Guard fleet of long-range reconnaissance transports to 25 aircraft. Source: US Coast Guard
The Coast Guard is already making use of smaller uncrewed aircraft, such as the Shield AI V-Bat, which can launch and land vertically from the service’s cutter vessels.
Separately, the USCG on 2 October announced the planned acquisition of six new C-130J transport aircraft from Lockheed Martin. These will subsequently be converted into the HC-130J standard under a separate contract.
The initial aircraft purchase is valued at $735 million.
Once delivered, the new transports will raise the Coast Guard’s total C-130J fleet to 25 aircraft. In Coast Guard service, the HC-130J is configured for long-range surveillance and used to support search and rescue and maritime patrol missions.
The Coast Guard operates HC-130Js out of four air stations, in North Carolina, Alaska, Hawaii and California.
Both the C-130J and MQ-9B purchases are being funded from $3.3 billion allocated for modernising and expanding Coast Guard aviation under the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” spending package enacted by the Trump Administration and Congress in 2025.
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