Shield AI to provide V-BAT UAS to US Coast Guard
The USCG contract with Shield AI will last for five years. (Image: Shield AI)
The V-BAT series aircraft is a single-engine ducted fan platform that can launch and recover from a hover and fly on wing in horizontal flight. It can operate as a flexible platform capable of performing Group 2 to Group 5 UAS missions and beyond.
Shield AI will provide surveillance services to the US Coast Guard (USCG) under a US$198.1 million contract using its V-BAT vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAS.
The deal is an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity firm fixed-price contract to provide Contractor Owned Contractor Operated (COCO) Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) services.
In a statement, the USCG said the UAS would operate from cutters and provide fully automated flight operations. It has a minimum endurance of 12 hours of flight time daily and the ability to provide services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The payload will include electro-optical and infrared sensors and communications relays and be capable of providing surveillance, detection, classification and identification for all of the host cutter’s operational missions.
The contract includes installation and de-installation of the UAS capability and pilot and mission training. Initially, the contract will be used to continue UAS capability on the national security cutter class but the contract can be used to support additional cutter classes in the future.
Shephard Defence Insight noted that the contract, which will run until 2029, has been structured as five one-year ordering periods and estimated that the procurement programme would be for up to 396 units.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Lockheed delivers first F-16 Block 70 aircraft to Bulgaria]()
Lockheed delivers first F-16 Block 70 aircraft to Bulgaria
The delivery of this F-16 Block 70 aircraft marks a first step in the Bulgarian air force’s modernisation efforts and the replacement of its MiG-29 aircraft.
-
![UAE accepts first batch of F4 Rafale fighter jets]()
UAE accepts first batch of F4 Rafale fighter jets
The aircraft were accepted during a ceremony on the 29 January and will stay at Dassault’s Flight Test Centre, with deliveries scheduled for the end of 2026.
-
![Japan selects T-6 Texan II for pilot training]()
Japan selects T-6 Texan II for pilot training
The T-6 Texan II aircraft will replace the Fuji/Subaru T-7 aircraft in the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).
-
![Embraer “confident” as C-390 and A-29 production ramps up in 2025]()
Embraer “confident” as C-390 and A-29 production ramps up in 2025
Embraer chief commercial officer Frederico Lemos said that it was aiming to produce more than 10 of its C-390 multi-mission aircraft a year by 2030, with some A-29 aircraft already allocated and ready for delivery.
-
![Boeing CEO notes “confidence” in defence arm despite 20% Q4 revenue loss]()
Boeing CEO notes “confidence” in defence arm despite 20% Q4 revenue loss
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg indicated ongoing improvements were being made in its defence programmes going forwards, despite being affected in Q4 by cost pressures, higher manufacturing costs and the impact of the IAM strike.
