On 07 December, the first maritime Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) was introduced at the General Atomics facility in Palmdale, California. We received a few questions regarding that UAS, the Guardian, so we are addressing them in a guest post from our Office of Aviation Forces (CG-711):
1. Is this Predator UAS property of the Coast Guard or property of CBP?
The Maritime Variant Predator (MVP) was acquired by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). However, the Coast Guard and CBP have a close working relationship on the development of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for DHS missions. We have a Coast Guard Captain that serves as the Deputy Director of a Joint Program Office for UAS, and two other officers who serve as a liaisons with CBP. To date, this partnership with CBP has enabled two Coast Guard aviators to receive Predator training at a CBP facility, with two more scheduled for later in 2010. These aviators will command the MVP during joint operations scheduled to begin early next year.
2. Do we currently have a long term strategy for UAS in the Coast Guard?
The Coast Guard is pursuing a strategy to acquire mid altitude, long range and low altitude, cutter based tactical UAS to meet DHS and Coast Guard specific mission requirements. A major part of the strategy is to partner with other federal agencies to reduce the overall cost of the project and leverage each agency's unique talents to develop the most efficient product possible. The Coast Guard needs greater awareness within the maritime domain and the UAS provides persistent, cost-effective, maritime surveillance in critical operational areas, where and when it is most needed. It will complement Coast Guard manned aircraft and surface assets, and will be a future key provider of aviation support across a broad scope of Coast Guard missions.
3. Does the Coast Guard still have plans for a Vertical Takeoff UAS originally planned for the National Security Class cutters?
The Coast Guard is still pursuing a tactical cutter based UAS solution. We are examining the Navy's Fire Scout Program and have partnered with the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to collaborate on a future shipboard vertical takeoff UAS. Land based and cutter based UAS capabilities are critical for long range surveillance and tactical interdiction purposes respectively. Each system complements the other resulting in enhanced mission execution in the field.
