WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) announced on October 9, 2026, that it has executed a $247.8 million order for four General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) MQ-9B long-range Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).
Procured on September 25, 2026, via an existing U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) contract vehicle, the acquisition includes four land-based MQ-9B aircraft (SeaGuardian configuration profile), associated Ground Control Stations (GCS), ground support equipment, and system integration. Funding is drawn from the FY2025 Budget Reconciliation package (providing nearly $25 billion—the largest capital investment in USCG history) alongside FY2026 appropriations. The deal forms part of a broader ~$16.3 billion recapitalization effort spanning maritime aviation and cutter fleets.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: GENERAL ATOMICS MQ-9B LONG-RANGE MARITIME UAS (USCG) 
* Manufacturer: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI, Poway, CA)
* Procuring Agency: U.S. Coast Guard (USCG / Department of Homeland Security)
* Contracting Vehicle: Intra-agency leverage via U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) contract
* Contract Value & Allocation: $247.8 Million (4 Aircraft, GCS, Spares & Field Support)
* Funding Source: FY2025 Budget Reconciliation (“One Big Beautiful Bill Act” ~$25B USCG allocation) & FY2026 Appropriations
* Aircraft Performance & Flight Parameters:
* Wingspan / Length: 24.0 meters (79 ft) | 11.7 meters (38 ft)
* Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW): 5,670 kg (12,500 lbs)
* Payload Capacity: 2,177 kg (4,800 lbs) external/internal stores
* Powerplant: Honeywell TPE331-10GD turboprop engine
* Flight Endurance: >30 hours continuous flight time (maritime surveillance configurations)
* Mission Radius: ~1,200 nautical miles (~2,220 km) | Service Ceiling: >40,000 feet
* Sensor Suite & Payload Integration:
* Surface Search Radar: Multi-mode 360-degree Maritime Search Radar / Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
* Electro-Optical / Infrared (EO/IR): High-definition optical mast with laser designator/rangefinder
* Maritime Surveillance Systems: Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver, direction-finding ESM, and Minotaur mission architecture integration
* Mission Capabilities:
* Unarmed Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), counter-narcotics interdiction (supporting JIATF-South), EEZ surveillance, Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing enforcement, Search and Rescue (SAR) overwatch, and maritime border security
