Coastal Defense

What Coastal Defense does

Coastal Defense Inc. is a U.S. defense services provider and wholly owned subsidiary of AIRO Group Holdings (NASDAQ: AIRO), delivering high-fidelity close air support training, airborne ISR operations, JTAC training, and unmanned ground/surface target systems to military, law enforcement, and government agencies. Its core offering is Contract Close Air Support (CCAS), built around tactical jet aircraft (L-39 and S-211), experienced former military aircrew, and an integrated sensor stack including L3Harris WESCAM MX-15 and FLIR Star SAFIRE 380-HD EO/IR systems with ATAK/ROVER-enabled digitally aided CAS coordination. The portfolio extends to JTAC training and ground force integration, exercise and mission support, and specialized tactical services spanning weapons effects validation, custom unmanned systems development, and ISR integration support.

The company generates revenue through U.S. government defense contracts — including IDIQ contracts with the U.S. Navy for Flight and JTAC training — and through drone systems integration as part of AIRO Group Holdings' $150 million drone segment backlog, which includes the RQ-35 ISR drone deployed by NATO forces and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Its go-to-market is direct enterprise sales through government procurement channels, with a talent base of former military pilots, JTACs, TACPs, CCTs, and SOF personnel as the primary differentiator. Customer distribution is concentrated on U.S. military and DoD agencies, supplemented by allied international deployments via the AIRO parent ecosystem. Coastal Defense is expanding its drone portfolio through joint ventures with Nord Drone Group and Bullet, and participates in AIRO's Phoenix, Arizona manufacturing buildout.

Name

Coastal Defense

Legal name

Coastal Defense Inc.

Website

https://gocdi.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Coastal Defense Inc. is a U.S. defense services subsidiary of AIRO Group Holdings providing Close Air Support training, airborne ISR, JTAC training, and unmanned target systems to the U.S. Navy, DoD, NATO, and allied forces, using tactical aircraft and military-grade sensor systems.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Training Services

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), National Security (928110)

SIC

Aircraft (3721), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Naval Training, Simulation & Shore-Based Support Systems (IMABAKAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Naval C4ISR & Secure Communications Systems (IMAJABAL), Radar Systems & Subsystems (Airborne, Ground, Naval) (IMABAGAA)

Keywords

• Close air support training
• JTAC training services
• Airborne ISR operations
• Defense contracting services
• Unmanned target systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Mill Hall

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Defense Contracts: Coastal Defense generates revenue through U.S. government defense contracts, including Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts with the U.S. Navy for training support services. Revenue is project-based and tied to specific contract awards for JTAC training, CCAS, and ISR operations.
2. Drone Systems Integration: As a subsidiary of AIRO Group Holdings, Coastal Defense participates in the company's $150 million drone segment backlog, providing operational training and support for drone systems including the RQ-35 ISR drone deployed by NATO and Ukrainian forces.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Coastal Defense Inc. is a U.S. defense services provider that delivers high-fidelity military training and operational aviation support. Its portfolio centers on Contract Close Air Support (CCAS), Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) training, airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations, unmanned ground and surface target systems, and exercise and mission rehearsal support. The company uses tactical aircraft (L-39, S-211), EO/IR sensor systems, and digital tools (ATAK/ROVER) to replicate realistic combat environments for U.S. military, DoD agencies, and allied government customers.

Product overview

Coastal Defense Inc. is a defense services provider offering an integrated suite of operational training and aviation support solutions. The portfolio centers on Contract Close Air Support (CCAS) and JTAC Training services, supported by Airborne ISR Operations, Unmanned Ground & Surface Systems, Exercise & Mission Support, and Specialized Tactical Services. These core offerings are designed to work together as an integrated training ecosystem—CCAS provides the live air support, ISR Operations deliver real-time surveillance and video downlink, unmanned systems create dynamic moving targets, and specialized services enable custom scenario development. The company operates using tactical aircraft (L-39 & S-211), advanced sensor systems (L3Harris WESCAM MX-15, FLIR Star SAFIRE 380-HD), and supports ATAK/ROVER-enabled digitally aided operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Contract Close Air Support (CCAS) High-fidelity Close Air Support training and operational aviation support using tactical aircraft (L-39 and S-211), integrated ISR systems, and experienced military aircrew, delivering Type 1, 2, and 3 JTAC controls, day/night/IFR operations, and digitally aided CAS with ATAK and ROVER integration for U.S. military and government customers.
• Airborne ISR Operations Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance support using cost-effective fixed-wing platforms equipped with L3Harris WESCAM MX-15 and FLIR Star SAFIRE 380-HD EO/IR sensor systems, providing persistent full-motion video, Video Downlink (VDL), and 7+ hour long-endurance operational coverage for military, law enforcement, and government agencies.
• Unmanned Ground & Surface Systems Custom unmanned ground and surface target platforms including full-size commercial/military vehicles, motorcycles, ATVs, boats, and personnel targets used to replicate realistic threats for JTAC training, CAS proficiency, vehicle interdiction, weapons effects analysis, and sniper training, with 10+ mile LOS/BLOS control and all-terrain capability.
• JTAC Training & Ground Force Integration Advanced Joint Terminal Attack Controller qualification, continuation training, and ground force integration with live air support, airborne ISR, Video Downlink, and dynamic target systems, supporting Type 1, 2, and 3 CAS control training, direct action mission support, and sensor-to-shooter integration for conventional and Special Operations units.
• Exercise & Mission Support Planning and execution support for complex training exercises, mission rehearsals, and real-world operational events, integrating air, ground, ISR, and unmanned systems from initial planning through execution and after-action debrief for military and multi-agency customers.
• Specialized Tactical Services Specialized tactical services including weapons effects validation, custom unmanned systems and target development, ISR and Video Downlink integration support, ATAK and communications training, test and evaluation, and custom scenario design for military, law enforcement, and government agencies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ missions completed per RQ-35 drone unit deployed by NATO and Ukrainian forces

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nord Drone GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2026Joint venture with Nord Drone Group for combat-proven UAS deployment. This partnership expands Coastal Defense's drone ecosystem capabilities and integrates Nordic drone technology into the company's training and operational support offerings.
• BulletcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2026Signed Letter of Intent (LOI) for an interceptor drone joint venture with Bullet. This partnership is focused on developing interceptor drone capabilities as part of the broader drone ecosystem expansion.
• Global SOF FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 November 2025AIRO Group Holdings, through its brands Sky-Watch and Coastal Defense, participated in GSOF's Modern Warfare Week at Fort Bragg to showcase the RQ-35 ISR drone to the Special Operations community.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Draken International: Draken International is a leading provider of contract adversary air and tactical training services for the U.S. military, including JTAC training support. Both companies operate tactical jet fleets (Draken uses various platforms) to provide high-fidelity training replication, making them direct competitors in the contract close air support and adversary air training market.
• AEVEX Aerospace: AEVEX Aerospace provides airborne ISR, sensor integration, and tactical aviation support services to defense and intelligence customers. Their ISR operations and sensor integration capabilities directly overlap with Coastal Defense's airborne ISR and tactical sensor offerings (MX-15, Star SAFIRE).
• ATAC (Airborne Tactical Advantage Company): ATAC provides contract close air support, adversary air, and tactical training services using a fleet of tactical aircraft to support U.S. Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps training programs. As a Textron Systems subsidiary, ATAC is a direct competitor to Coastal Defense in the same DoD contract training market, particularly for JTAC and CAS training contracts.
• MAG Aerospace: MAG Aerospace delivers ISR, training, and operational support services to defense and government customers worldwide. Their full-spectrum ISR and mission support capabilities overlap significantly with Coastal Defense's airborne ISR, exercise support, and tactical aviation services.

Emerging players

• Skydio: Skydio provides autonomous drone solutions for defense, public safety, and commercial customers, including small UAS ISR and reconnaissance platforms. Their expanding defense business overlaps with emerging tactical drone and ISR segments that Coastal Defense is positioning to capture through its drone ecosystem partnerships.
• Shield AI: Shield AI develops autonomous drone systems (V-BAT) and AI-enabled ISR platforms deployed with U.S. and allied forces. Their autonomous ISR and tactical drone capabilities represent emerging competitive pressure on traditional ISR and tactical training services, with overlap in military ISR contract markets.
• Anduril Industries: Anduril is an emerging defense technology company building autonomous systems, ISR solutions, and counter-drone capabilities (Lattice, Ghost, Roadrunner). While not a direct competitor today, Anduril's autonomous ISR and counter-UAS offerings could disrupt traditional manned training and ISR services markets where Coastal Defense operates.

Broad incumbents

• L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris is a major defense prime that manufactures the WESCAM MX-15 sensor system used by Coastal Defense, and provides broader ISR, C4ISR, and sensor integration solutions across military domains. While much larger and broader in scope, L3Harris competes in adjacent ISR/sensor integration markets and could expand into the integrated training services space.
• General Atomics Aeronautical Systems: General Atomics is a leading manufacturer of unmanned aircraft systems (MQ-9 Reaper) and provides ISR solutions to U.S. and allied military forces. While primarily a drone manufacturer rather than service provider, GA represents the broader ISR/UAS ecosystem that Coastal Defense operates within as a tactical ISR service provider.
• Textron Systems: Textron Systems is a defense prime producing tactical aircraft (used in adversary air), unmanned systems, and providing training support services. As parent of ATAC, Textron is both a customer/supplier ecosystem participant and a broader defense incumbent with overlapping capabilities in tactical aviation and unmanned systems markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Coastal Defense