Aug. 1, 2025

Coast Guard HC-130J fleet marks 100,000-flight-hour milestone

On July 8, the Coast Guard’s HC-130J fleet marked a major milestone, surpassing 100,000 flight hours since the first HC-130J was delivered to the service in 2003. The landmark achievement was reached when Coast Guard aircraft CGNR 2005, stationed at Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, Alaska, completed a logistics mission supporting mission-critical maintenance operations in the Arctic.

Aug. 1, 2025

Coast Guard exercises option to begin construction on additional offshore patrol cutter

On July 31, the Coast Guard exercised a contract option with Austal USA of Mobile, Alabama, to begin construction of the second Stage 2 offshore patrol cutter (OPC) and acquire long lead-time material to support future construction of a third Stage 2 OPC. This action brings the total number of OPCs under contract to four: two at Austal USA and two at Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Panama City, Florida. The total value of the option is $273 million.

July 31, 2025

Coast Guard completes operational testing for new UAS capability

The Coast Guard in late July completed comprehensive operational testing of Shield AI's V-BAT unmanned aircraft system (UAS) aboard Coast Guard Cutters Midgett and Stone in preparation for future installation of the V-BAT UAS capability across the national security cutter fleet and potentially other Coast Guard vessel classes. The UAS capability addresses a critical operational need for persistent airborne surveillance capabilities that support a wide range of Coast Guard missions.

July 30, 2025

Coast Guard launches comprehensive fleet maintenance program for 175-foot coastal buoy tenders

The Coast Guard on July 15, 2025, began a major maintenance availability (MMA) for the first of 14 175-foot Keeper-class coastal buoy tenders, Coast Guard Cutter Ida Lewis. The MMAs will ensure the coastal buoy tenders remain operationally reliable and effective through their 30-year planned service lives.

July 29, 2025

Coast Guard releases solicitation to deliver new facilities and infrastructure improvements at Base Charleston

The Coast Guard published a request for proposal (RFP) on July 11 for the design and construction of buildings, utility infrastructure and roads at Base Charleston in North Charleston, South Carolina.

July 29, 2025

Coast Guard moves forward with expansion of fast response cutter fleet

Bolstered by significant new funding for cutter acquisition, the Coast Guard has initiated discussions with Bollinger Shipyards of Lockport, Louisiana, to order at least 10 additional fast response cutters (FRCs).

July 29, 2025

Coast Guard plans to accelerate waterways commerce cutter production

With the strong support of the Administration and Congress, the Coast Guard is working with Birdon America Inc. to accelerate waterways commerce cutter (WCC) production.

July 23, 2025

Coast Guard recognizes outstanding contracting and procurement professionals with annual awards

Ten individuals and six teams from across the Coast Guard contracting and procurement (C&P) community were recognized for their exceptional performance in fiscal year 2024 during the annual Head of the Contracting Activity (HCA) Awards, held virtually June 16 from Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

July 18, 2025

Coast Guard conducts market research on maritime unmanned aircraft system capabilities

The Coast Guard on July 17 issued a request for information (RFI) seeking information on the current capabilities of maritime unmanned aircraft systems (MUAS).

July 11, 2025

Coast Guard to hold virtual industry day on regional multiple award construction contracts

The Coast Guard will host a virtual industry day on July 29 for the third generation of the indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) Regional Multiple Award Construction Contracts (RMACC III).