Coast Guard to invest $350 million in robotics and autonomous systems

Industry News
Written By Kim Davis

Photo: MarineLog

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. The U.S. Coast Guard announced yesterday it will invest nearly $350 million to expand robotics and autonomous systems, a move aimed at enhancing maritime operations, improving safety, and strengthening the service’s ability to respond to emergencies along U.S. waterways and coasts.

The funding, provided under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), includes $11 million in fiscal year 2025 for immediate upgrades to critical unmanned systems.

Initial investments include:

  • $4.8 million to procure 16 VideoRay Defender remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for Deployable Specialized Forces.

  • $2 million for six Qinetiq Squad Packable Utility Robot (SPUR) and 12 mini-SPUR unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) for Coast Guard Strike Teams.

  • $4.3 million for 125 SkyDio X10D short-range unmanned aircraft systems (SR-UAS).

Go to this link to read the full article published by MarineLog https://www.marinelog.com/inland-coastal/coastal/coast-guard-to-invest-350-million-in-robotics-and-autonomous-systems/

Kim Davis
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