Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

Coast Guard UAS strategy 

The Coast Guard is evaluating a wide range of UAS to augment its aircraft fleets and to expand the surveillance range of surface assets. Building on developmental work by other uniformed services and federal agencies, the Coast Guard is considering cost-effective UAS solutions that meet cutter-based and land-based requirements.  

Short range (SR): SR-UAS are force multipliers, transforming mission execution across all 11 statutory missions. To date over 600 remote pilots have been trained, over 330 systems fielded and more than 80 different units qualified. 

Medium range (MR): MR-UAS are part of the national security cutter fleet force package, and the Coast Guard is moving toward expanding this capability to support other surface assets.  

Long range (LR): The Coast Guard has validated a mission need for LR-UAS to significantly enhance ocean surveillance in support of the service’s operations. Coast Guard LR-UAS flight crews are jointly operating maritime-variant Predator UAS (Guardians) on maritime missions with Customs and Border Protection to enhance the Coast Guard’s understanding of potential LR-UAS solutions and support the development of an LR-UAS requirements package.