- The U.S. Coast Guard placed the order through a CBP contract
- Funding comes from fiscal 2025 budget reconciliation legislation and fiscal 2026 appropriations
- The MQ-9B will support counter-drug operations, maritime surveillance and ISR efforts
General Atomics has received a $247.8 million order from the U.S. Coast Guard to deliver four MQ-9B long-range unmanned aircraft systems, ground control stations and supporting equipment.
The U.S. Coast Guard, a DHS component, is acquiring MQ-9B aircraft to support missions, including border and critical infrastructure protection. The Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Homeland Security Summit on Nov. 10 will explore emerging security technologies, with DHS Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar delivering a keynote. Save your seat today.
What Are the Details of the Acquisition?
The Coast Guard said Friday it placed the order Sept. 25 through a Customs and Border Protection contract. Funding for the aircraft will come from fiscal 2025 budget reconciliation legislation and fiscal 2026 appropriations. The reconciliation measure allocated nearly $25 billion to the Coast Guard, enabling the service to place orders worth about $16.3 billion for new assets and capabilities.
The order follows the Coast Guard’s earlier plans to acquire its own fleet of long-range unmanned aircraft, which included four MQ-9 aircraft funded through reconciliation legislation.
What Missions Will the MQ-9B Support?
Coast Guard crews will use the aircraft for search and rescue missions, offshore monitoring, and border and critical infrastructure protection. In addition, the systems will back counter-drug operations and efforts against illegal and unregulated fishing.
The MQ-9B aircraft is also designed to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; airborne early warning; and long-range strategic intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. With the SeaGuardian mission kit, the aircraft can perform anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and airborne mine countermeasures.
Anthony Antognoli, assistant commandant and program executive officer for robotics and autonomous systems at the Coast Guard, said the MQ-9B will extend the service’s reach and give crews a wider view of the maritime domain to detect threats earlier, make more informed decisions and act faster.
