Coast Guard pondering UAVs

The U.S. Coast Guard is still in the market for an unmanned aerial system to extend the surveillance reach of the new National Security Cutter fleet, the head of acquisition for the service said May 11. The Coast Guard ended its planned vertical takeoff UAV program, and has been monitoring other UAV programs, said Rear Adm. Gary Blore, assistant commandant for acquisition. He said the Navy’s Fire Scout appears to be the farthest along but "we’re still waiting for [maritime] radar to be integrated on Fire Scout." (Source: Aviation Week, 05/12/09) Gulf Coast note: Fire Scouts are built in part in Moss Point, Miss., and the first National Security Cutter was built in Pascagoula, Miss.