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House subcommittee presses Coast Guard on plans to buy and regulate unmanned maritime systems
Summary
Witnesses told the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation that the Coast Guard is accelerating robotics and unmanned capabilities through Force Design 2028 and a new RAS PEO, and outlined funding and international coordination plans while GAO and the National Academies flagged regulatory gaps and data needs.
Chairman Ezell pressed the U.S. Coast Guard on how it intends to use recent funding and update regulation as maritime operators adopt autonomous vessels and other unmanned systems.
"With the reconciliation funds right now, what we have set aside, for the legislation is $350,000,000," Rear Admiral David C Bharata told the Subcommittee, adding that about $266,000,000 is intended for long‑range unmanned aerial systems and $75,000,000 for surface unmanned systems. Bharata said roughly $11,000,000 has already been used to renew remote operational vehicles and unit‑level systems and that the service expects to issue requests for information and begin procurement work over the next six to 12 months.
The Coast Guard described organizational changes meant to accelerate adoption. Bharata said the service has established a Robotics and…
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