INSTALL NATIONAL SECURITY CUTTERS (NSC) WITH UNMANNED AVIATION SYSTEM (UAS) CAPABILITY

The U.S. Coast Guard awarded a contract to Shield AI Inc. on June 26, 2024, to install and operate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) aboard Coast Guard cutters for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. The contract, valued at $198.1 million total through 2029, involves deploying Shield AI's V-BAT vertical take-off and landing aircraft with electro-optical and infrared sensors to provide 24/7 surveillance capability with a minimum 12-hour daily endurance. The system will initially support the national security cutter class and can be expanded to other cutter classes in the future. This is a contractor-owned, contractor-operated service that includes pilot and mission training for Coast Guard personnel.