The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded a USD172.2 million sole-source contract to Gulfstream Aerospace for the acquisition of two G700s on behalf of the United States Coast Guard (Washington National). The contract was announced on October 15, amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The New York Times reported the DHS will buy used aircraft. The G700 entered into service in April 2024.
The US government previously planned to buy a single pre-owned G550 to replace the Coast Guard's 24.1-year-old GV(C-37A).
Democratic Representatives Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut and Lauren Underwood of Illinois pressed DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to provide documentation detailing the revised acquisition plan, funding sources, delivery timeline, and any internal analysis comparing alternatives by October 30. The lawmakers also requested the names of officials who authorised the purchase and asked whether the Coast Guard produced a formal justification for awarding the sole-source contract to Gulfstream.
Coast Guard's Acting Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday said the acquisition replaces ageing aircraft. The Coast Guard's long-range command and control aircraft (LRCCA) fleet had experienced 30 days of unscheduled maintenance in 2025, resulting in six mission cancellations.
The Coast Guard's LRCCA fleet provides transport and communications for senior DHS officials, including Secretary Noem, as well as for the Coast Guard Commandant and other commanders. In addition to the GV(C-37A), the service operates a 6.3-year-old G550(C-37B) and a 25.9-year-old G550, inducted earlier this year under the Part 135 certificate of Aery Aviation (FST, Newport News) before being integrated into Coast Guard operations.
Earlier this year, the DHS reportedly considered acquiring and operating a dedicated fleet of aircraft for deportation flights, with Secretary Noem advocating use of the department's increased funding - provided through President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act - for the effort.
