System development of the VTOL UAV

The U.S. Coast Guard is procuring the system development of a VTOL UAV from INTEGRATED COAST GUARD SYSTEMS LLC under a $49,700,000 contract. This supports Coast Guard missions by providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities using VTOL unmanned aircraft systems like the V-BAT, initially for national security cutters with potential expansion to other classes. Strategically, it reflects a shift toward affordable, distributed drone operations from maritime vessels to enhance ISR in place of costlier crewed or advanced uncrewed aircraft.