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
-
![How India’s FCAS ambitions could reshape its combat-air roadmap]()
How India’s FCAS ambitions could reshape its combat-air roadmap
Participation in the French-led programme could provide India with access to sixth-generation technologies but force difficult choices over AMCA, TEDBF and indigenous propulsion development.
-
![Pentagon’s 800% PAC-3 MSE surge faces production bottleneck as Patriot demand soars]()
Pentagon’s 800% PAC-3 MSE surge faces production bottleneck as Patriot demand soars
The Pentagon wants to procure 3,203 PAC-3 MSE interceptors in FY2027, but production constraints and international demand could impact efforts to rebuild depleted missile stocks.
-
![Canada targets 2028 operational debut for AIM-9X and AIM-120D missiles]()
Canada targets 2028 operational debut for AIM-9X and AIM-120D missiles
The missile programmes form part of a broader effort to strengthen Canadian air-combat readiness as the RCAF transitions from the CF-188 to the F-35A and rebuilds its operational weapons stocks.
-
![AIM-260 JATM deal puts Australia’s missile-industrial ambitions in focus]()
AIM-260 JATM deal puts Australia’s missile-industrial ambitions in focus
While a potentially accelerated acquisition timeline could strengthen the RAAF’s long-range air combat capability, Canberra’s continued reliance on US missile production is also put under the spotlight in parallel to its push to build a sovereign industry.
