USCG first ScanEagle deployment a success
The US Coast Guard has completed its first full deployment with the ScanEagle UAS, Insitu announced on 8 May.
The UAS was embarked aboard the coast guard's Stratton cutter for a six week deployment in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
The UAS flew 39 sorties during the deployment for a total of 279 hours, including one operation where the aircraft provided persistent surveillance for 22.7 flight hours in a 24 hour period. By the end of the deployment the UAS had directly assisted the Stratton crew with conducting four interdictions, seizing more than 1,676kg of illicit contraband valued at $55 million and apprehending ten suspected drug traffickers.
ScanEagle was equipped with multiple sensors including electro-optic, thermal and telescope cameras that delivered a range of aerial imagery to the vessel's crew and decision makers, enabling them to better execute real-time actionable intelligence. The information ScanEagle provided will assist with prosecution efforts by the US Department of Justice.
The deployment is the first under Insitu's June 2016 contract award to provide UAS intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance services aboard one coast guard national security cutter. Last month, the coast guard released a draft request for proposal to procure UAS capabilities for its entire national security cutter fleet.
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