[REVISION HISTORY]

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

Updated 1 time since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-10 07:52 UTC → 2026-10-12 14:14 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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. These assessments were conducted~~ 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.

Versions

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.