USCG preps for UAS integration
The US Coast Guard is moving toward the release of a request for proposal for a small UAS capability for its National Security Cutters (NSCs), with a number of training and concept of operations development projects underway.
As part of work to stay informed on the state of the UAS market, acquisition personnel have attended operational training with Insitu to achieve the certification required to operate the ScanEagle UAS.
The coast guard will use a contractor-owned and -operated ScanEagle UAS this winter to test integration and a concept of operations for UAS on USCGC Stratton based in Alameda, California. The service will use the deployment data to refine requirements for installing and integrating future systems across the NSC class.
The training course will also help the acquisition programme to more effectively analyse and assess potential UAS for NSC solutions.
The course included training to perform launch, recovery and minor maintenance. A ten day mission coordinator course was also carried out by Stratton crew to better understand capabilities, limitations and standard operation of the ScanEagle and the command, control and coordination functions to smoothly integrate operations.
The Coast guard plans to release a request for proposal for small UAS for NSC capability by the end of 2017, with contract award for the retrofit of Stratton and one additional NSC targeted for 2018.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![AUKUS heavyweight torpedo test raises questions over future armed UUV requirements]()
AUKUS heavyweight torpedo test raises questions over future armed UUV requirements
A heavyweight torpedo firing from the Royal Navy’s uncrewed submarine XV Excalibur suggests a shift beyond surveillance, with allied navies eyeing strike roles for large autonomous undersea vessels.
-
![Industrial teams prepare roadmap for Indonesia aircraft carrier transformation]()
Industrial teams prepare roadmap for Indonesia aircraft carrier transformation
Fincantieri and PT PAL have agreed on a framework to modernise the former Giuseppe Garibaldi, with drones, communications and broader Italian–Indonesian industrial ties involved.
-
![Five years on: where could opportunities emerge next for AUKUS Pillar II?]()
Five years on: where could opportunities emerge next for AUKUS Pillar II?
Payload commonality, combat systems and electronic warfare are emerging as likely priorities as the trilateral partnership balances building submarines with sharing industrial ecosystems.
