The US Coast Guard (USCG) will invest nearly USD 350 million to expand robotics and autonomous systems, strengthening mission execution and operational capabilities. The funding, provided under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), includes USD 11 million in fiscal year 2025 for immediate upgrades to critical autonomous systems.
These investments are the first in a series of robotics and autonomous systems projects the USCG will pursue using OBBBA funding. The technologies will meet immediate mission needs, improve personnel safety and strengthen the Coast Guard’s capabilities to control, secure, and defend US borders and maritime approaches.
Initial investments include:
- USD 4.8 million to procure sixteen VideoRay Defender remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to replace Deployable Specialised Forces’ ageing fleet.
- USD 2 million to procure six Qinetiq Squad Packable Utility Robots (SPURs) and twelve mini-SPURs to replace outdated unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) at Strike Teams.
- USD 4.3 million to purchase 125 SkyDio X10D short-range unmanned aircraft systems (SR-UAS).
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Responding faster and operating smarter
‘These unmanned systems provide increased domain awareness, mitigating risk and enhancing mission success as the Coast Guard continues to operate in hazardous environments,’ says Anthony Antognoli, the USCG’s first RAS program executive officer. ‘The Coast Guard’s mission demands agility, awareness and adaptability. Robotics and autonomous systems deliver all three, enabling us to respond faster, operate smarter and extend our reach where it matters most. We are not waiting for the future to arrive. We are delivering it to the fleet today.’
The Coast Guard’s Deployable Specialised Forces will use the new ROVs for waterfront and pier inspections, hull assessments, subsurface infrastructure surveys, disaster response and search and rescue missions. Their use will reduce reliance on Coast Guard divers, improving efficiency and safety.
Sampling air in confined spaces
Coast Guard Strike Teams, which respond to hazardous materials spills, major marine casualties, groundings, natural disasters, chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) incidents and national special security events, will use the new UGVs to access and sample air in confined spaces aboard commercial vessels.
The SR-UAS will support operations including infrastructure inspections, environmental observation, pollution response, post-storm surveys, ice surveys and communications.
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More agile force
The Program Executive Office for Robotics and Autonomous Systems is part of the Coast Guard’s Force Design 2028 plan, which aims to fully integrate capabilities across the service. Focused on four campaigns – people, organisation, contracting and acquisition and technology – Force Design 2028 is an accelerated effort to establish a blueprint for change and transform the Coast Guard into a more agile, capable, and responsive force.
Picture by the USCG.
