🚁 US Coast Guard Goes All-In on Short-Range Drones: $350 Million Investment
Published: February 2026 | RC Flight Gear News
A Major Leap Forward for Coast Guard Drone Technology
The United States Coast Guard is making one of the biggest investments in its history in drone and autonomous systems technology. As part of its Force Design 2028 modernization plan, the Coast Guard has committed $350 million toward robotics and unmanned systems — and short-range drones are at the center of it all.
The Skydio X10D: The Coast Guard’s New Short-Range Drone
One of the biggest announcements in this investment is the procurement of 125 Skydio X10D short-range unmanned aircraft systems. Unlike the DJI drones that have faced a US import ban, the Skydio X10D is a fully American-made drone — purpose-built for defense and public safety operations.
According to Anthony Antognoli, the Coast Guard’s first-ever Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Program Executive Officer, these drones will be used for:
- Infrastructure inspections of bridges, towers, and facilities
- Environmental observation and pollution response
- Post-storm damage surveys
- Ice surveys and communications support
- Search and rescue operations
- Drug interdiction in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean
A New “Robotics Mission Specialist” Rating
In November 2025, the Coast Guard announced a brand new enlisted rating called the “Robotics Mission Specialist” — a dedicated role for Coast Guard members who will operate and maintain drones, underwater vehicles, autonomous surface craft, and robots. This is a historic first for the service and signals just how seriously the Coast Guard is taking drone technology.
Congress Backs the Expansion
Congress has also thrown its support behind the Coast Guard’s drone expansion. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes $266 million for long-range drone procurement and an additional $75 million for autonomous maritime systems. The Coast Guard is also standing up a fleet of up to four MQ-9A Reaper drones for long-range maritime surveillance.
The DJI Ban Connection
Interestingly, the Coast Guard’s push toward American-made drones like Skydio comes at the same time as the FCC’s ban on DJI products in the United States. The Coast Guard’s short-range drone program had previously been placed on hold due to concerns about foreign-made technology — making the shift to Skydio a direct response to those national security concerns.
What This Means for the Drone Community
The Coast Guard’s massive investment is a clear sign that short-range drones are no longer just hobbyist toys — they are mission-critical tools for national security, search and rescue, and environmental protection. As American-made alternatives to DJI continue to improve, the future of professional drone operations in the US looks bright.
Stay tuned to RC Flight Gear for more updates on how drones are shaping the future of aviation and defense!
Sources: ExecutiveGov, DefenseScoop, Inside Unmanned Systems — 2025/2026
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