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Unmanned Systems

Shield AI Nabs $200 Million Coast Guard Award To Operate V-BATs Aboard Cutters

By Cal Biesecker

Friday, June 28th, 2024

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Shield AI Nabs $200 Million Coast Guard Award To Operate V-BATs Aboard Cutters

V-BAT medium-size UAS in a maritime application. V-BAT is a Shield AI product. Photo: Shield AI

The Coast Guard on June 26 awarded Shield AI nearly $200 million to provide and operate the company’s V-BAT unmanned aircraft system for operations aboard some of the service’s cutters. The $198.1 million contract has five one-year ordering periods that will require Shield AI to operate the Group 3 UAS at least 12 hours daily with the ability to provide services around-the-clock on a weekly basis. Initially, the V-BATs will be used aboard the Coast Guard’s 420-foot national security cutters…

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