Insitu is on pace to supply its ScanEagle endurance mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to the US Coast Guard’s (USCG’s) entire national security cutter (NSC) fleet by the end of 2020, according to a company official.
Ron Tremain, Insitu senior business executive for Department of Homeland Security (DHS), domestic, and international maritime operations, told Jane’s on 14 January at the Surface Navy trade show that the USCG currently has eight NSCs but plans to expand to 12 total ships in the next few years. Insitu has already built enough ScanEagles to fill out the current USCG NSC fleet in 2020, he said. As the guard adds national security cutters, Tremain said that Insitu will build more aircraft to outfit those ships.
Insitu's ScanEagle endurance mini-UAV on display at the Surface Navy trade show on 14 January 2020. (Insitu)
Insitu was selected following a bid protest by the USCG in December 2018 to provide ScanEagle for the Small Unmanned Aerial System for National Security Cutter (SUAS for NSC) programme. Insitu was awarded a contract in June 2018 worth USD117 million, which covers installation and deployment of the aircraft for roughly 200 hours per 30-day operational patrol period.
Tremain said ScanEagle is participating in all 11 USCG statutory missions, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Other missions include search and rescue, he added.
Insitu will not have to adapt ScanEagle to new infrastructure on new NSCs. Tremain said that the USCG is very standardised on its platforms, so one new national security cutter will be similar to the older platforms.
Looking to read the full article?
Gain unlimited access to Janes news and more...
