ALCOAST 195/23 - MAY 2023 RELEASE OF THE U.S. COAST GUARD UNMANNED SYSTEMS STRATEGIC PLAN

R 162003Z MAY 23 MID120000084607U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 195/23
SSIC 16000
SUBJ: RELEASE OF THE U.S. COAST GUARD UNMANNED SYSTEMS STRATEGIC
PLAN
1. I am pleased to announce the promulgation of the U.S. Coast Guard
Unmanned Systems Strategic Plan. This plan outlines the changes,
threats, and opportunities presented by the rapid emergence of
unmanned systems (UxS) and states a vision for the Coast Guard's
strategy to adapt. It sets strategic goals and objectives and
defines additional key enablers and core technologies to fully
leverage UxS as a force multiplier. Finally, the plan illustrates
a desired future state including future operational scenarios and
use cases across nearly every Coast Guard mission.
2. The Coast Guard will move with purpose to deploy, defend against,
and regulate unmanned systems in the complex maritime environment.
We are leaning forward to expand operations of UxS as an enabling
capability within our force structure for all mission areas. UxS
will provide persistent maritime domain awareness; optimize
surveillance in order to predict, detect, deter, counter, and
mitigate threats to the homeland and the maritime environment;
and reduce the dull, dirty, dangerous, and distant demands on
personnel, optimizing the employment of limited Coast Guard
resources. Embracing and integrating UxS will allow us to
effectively safeguard the American people and promote maritime
safety and security in a complex and evolving environment.
3. We are already moving forward on the plan. We have begun to
employ new unmanned surface vehicles in areas of illegal drug and
migrant trafficking and are expanding existing capability by
integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning with Scan
Eagle UAS operating from WMSLs. We continue to deploy Counter-UAS
in support of National Special Security Events including last
month's Boston Marathon. Finally, our Autonomous Vessel Policy
Council is actively engaging with commercial operators and
international rule-making bodies to define a future where UxS
are a trusted part of daily operations in the marine transportation
system.
4. The UxS Strategic Plan and additional information can be found
at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.dco.uscg.mil/strategicdocuments/

5. POC: CAPT Thom Remmers at (202) 475-5463 or
Thomas.C.Remmers@uscg.mil.
6. VADM Peter W. Gautier, Deputy Commandant for Operations (DCO),
sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.