# U.S. military adoption of MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-military-adoption-of-mq-9b-seaguardian-drones > Updated: 2026-10-10T06:00:02.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2. 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. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-10: US Coast Guard orders four MQ-9B unmanned aircraft The US Coast Guard is purchasing four MQ-9B long-range unmanned aircraft from General Atomics for $247.8 million to enhance maritime surveillance, search and rescue, and drug trafficking interdiction. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-coast-guard-orders-four-mq-9b-seaguardian-drones ### 2026-10-02: U.S. Navy evaluates MQ-9B SeaGuardian unmanned aircraft The U.S. Navy is evaluating the GA-ASI MQ-9B SeaGuardian unmanned aircraft for maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare roles during recent tests at Whidbey Island. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-navy-evaluates-mq-9b-seaguardian-unmanned-aircraft --- Cite as: U.S. military adoption of MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-military-adoption-of-mq-9b-seaguardian-drones