Coast Guard to Open $100M Drone Contract Solicitation

The agency will release details on Dec. 23 for a new medium-range autonomous aircraft program to support maritime missions.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Robotics

Isometric editorial illustration of a sleek autonomous aircraft hovering above a calm geometric blue ocean surface. — The U.S. Coast Guard plans to issue a $100 million solicitation for a new medium-range unmanned aircraft system on Dec. 23. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The U.S. Coast Guard plans to issue a solicitation for a new medium-range unmanned aircraft system contract on Dec. 23. This upcoming competition, valued at over $100 million, will support the service's expanding intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations.

Why it matters

The agency is accelerating the integration of autonomous aerial capabilities into its 11 statutory missions. This procurement marks a significant step in the operational shift overseen by the recently established CG-781 Robotics and Autonomous Systems Office.

The new contract follows a $247.8 million order for four MQ-9B long-range unmanned systems awarded to General Atomics on Sept. 25. The program aims to scale robotics capabilities across a decade-long performance window ending July 1, 2037.

The players

U.S. Coast Guard

A maritime branch of the U.S. Armed Forces now incorporating robotics and autonomous systems into its fleet.

Shield AI

A defense technology company specializing in artificial intelligence and autonomy for military aircraft.

General Atomics

An aerospace and defense firm known for producing long-range unmanned aerial vehicles like the MQ-9B.

CG-781 Robotics and Autonomous Systems Office

A newly established Coast Guard division created to oversee the integration of robotics into agency operations.

The details

The acquisition is structured as a competitive indefinite-delivery, firm-fixed-price contract. These mechanisms provide the Coast Guard with flexibility to order supplies over time at set rates rather than purchasing a single, static inventory. The program supports airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, which involve using remote sensors to monitor maritime environments and gather actionable data.

June 2024: Shield AI received the incumbent contract for the program.
September 25, 2026: The Coast Guard awarded a $247.8 million order to General Atomics.
December 23, 2026: The Coast Guard plans to release the solicitation.
Q3 FY2027: The contract award is expected.
July 1, 2037: Work on the contract is expected to be completed.

The Tech Race

This move follows the formation of the CG-781 Robotics and Autonomous Systems Office to centralize the agency's aerial autonomy strategy. It signifies a broader institutional push to shift from legacy systems toward competitive, fixed-price acquisition of multi-mission drone platforms.

Industry participants should monitor the December 23 solicitation release for specific technical requirements. The agency will host outreach events during the recompete period to clarify operational parameters for potential bidders.

The takeaway

The Coast Guard is aggressively formalizing its drone procurement strategy through high-value, fixed-price contracts. Industry observers should watch for the solicitation release on Dec. 23 to identify the specific performance benchmarks required for the next generation of medium-range aerial systems.