The U.S. Coast Guard has secured a significant contract worth $198 million with Shield AI to enhance its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities through the deployment of V-BAT unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This contract, which will run through 2029, includes comprehensive training for pilots and mission operators, marking a substantial modernization step for the Coast Guard's ISR operations. The V-BAT drones are designed to operate autonomously, boasting a daily endurance of up to 12 hours and the ability to carry various payloads, making them versatile assets for maritime security operations. Brandon Tseng, Co-Founder of Shield AI, highlighted a growing trend where maritime vessels are increasingly becoming drone carriers, emphasizing the strategic importance of this technology in modern naval operations.
In addition to the Coast Guard's expansion, Vigilant Aerospace has announced a partnership with DronePort Network to enhance air traffic surveillance and airspace management at future drone port projects across the U.S. Vigilant Aerospace's FlightHorizon solution provides a comprehensive view of all aircraft in the selected airspace, ensuring compliance with FAA regulations for advanced drone flights. This partnership aims to support the growth of autonomous flight and create safe environments for drone operations, which is crucial as the number of uncrewed aircraft in the National Airspace System continues to rise.
Furthermore, Vigilant Aerospace has been awarded a $500,000 grant by the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) to develop a distributed version of its detect-and-avoid system. This project, in collaboration with the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education (OAIRE) at Oklahoma State University, will utilize the Skyway Range Flight Corridor, a 114 nautical mile drone corridor, to enable beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) flight. The project aims to address the challenges posed by the increasing number of drones operating in U.S. airspace, ensuring safer integration of these technologies. Vigilant Aerospace is recognized as a leading developer of multi-sensor detect-and-avoid and airspace management software for drones, further solidifying its role in the evolving landscape of drone operations. [70d351d5] [0d6b4ea6] [22e6c300] [65d98894] [ae6eceb8]