U.S. military adoption of MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones

The U.S. military has begun integrating the MQ-9B SeaGuardian unmanned aircraft system into maritime operations. Initially, the U.S. Navy conducted evaluations at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island to assess the platform’s potential for maritime patrol, reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare under a Company-Owned, Company-Operated arrangement with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.

Following these evaluations, the U.S. Coast Guard, in collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, signed a $247.8 million contract for the delivery of four MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones. This acquisition includes ground control stations and support equipment, intended to enhance maritime domain awareness for missions such as search and rescue, counter-drug operations, and monitoring critical infrastructure.

The procurement is part of a broader modernization effort for the Coast Guard, supported by fiscal year 2025 budget reconciliation and fiscal year 2026 appropriations. The service has received nearly $25 billion in recent budget reconciliation, marking one of its largest capital investments to date for upgrading assets and infrastructure. The MQ-9B systems are expected to improve intelligence collection, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities far at sea to combat drug trafficking and illegal or unregulated fishing.