AUGUST 20, 2025 — The U.S. Coast Guard announced Tuesday the Initial Operating Capability of the Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Program Executive Office (PEO).
This PEO is a key component of the Service’s Force Design 2028 (FD 2028) plan, aimed at integrating capabilities and is poised to be the most transformational enhancement to capability since the inception of aviation.
The RAS PEO is dedicated to the rapid operationalization of the Unmanned Systems Strategic Plan. Robotics and autonomous systems are anticipated to revolutionize Coast Guard operations, leading to significant impacts to securing our border, facilitating commerce, and responding to contingencies. The establishment of a separate PEO is the most efficient mechanism to translate the evolving technology landscape into fielded capabilities – including Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) – and allows for dedicated advocacy for resources. As an organizational innovation under FD 2028, this initiative will leverage this technological revolution and deliver RAS capabilities that are better, faster, safer and cheaper across all mission sets.
The core mission of the RAS PEO is to accelerate the development, acquisition, fielding and sustainment of RAS capabilities across the Coast Guard to enhance mission effectiveness and operational readiness. Key goals include achieving RAS Full Operating Capability (FOC), ensuring seamless integration with ongoing RAS initiatives, developing a robust and adaptable acquisition process tailored to technological advancement, fostering innovation through collaboration with industry, academia, and other government agencies and ensuring the long-term sustainability of deployed RAS capabilities through comprehensive sustainment planning. A central element of this effort will be advancing the Coast Guard’s C-UAS Strategy. The RAS PEO will facilitate the Coast Guard’s efforts to forge the C-UAS doctrine, partnerships, and capabilities necessary to defend the U.S. Marine Transportation System and safeguard National Special Security Events.
The PEO’s responsibilities span the full capability lifecycle, including requirements definition and prioritization, managing acquisition and contracting, overseeing system development and integration, managing fielding and deployment, developing sustainment plans and collaborating with stakeholders. A temporary implementation team comprised of subject matter experts and supporting personnel has been created to focus on achieving FOC, integrating ongoing RAS efforts and launching pilot projects.
Force Design 2028 is an accelerated effort to establish a blueprint for change and transform the Coast Guard to ensure the Service is ready for the future. Focused on four campaigns—people, organization, contracting and acquisition, and technology—FD 2028 is a once-in-a-generation initiative to transform the Coast Guard’s ability to adapt to its current and future operating environment.
About the U.S. Coast Guard
With more than 95,000 miles of shoreline, 25,000 miles of navigable rivers and 4.5 million square miles of U.S. exclusive economic zone, the U.S. Coast Guard defends the Nation, protects the maritime transportation system, regulates and safeguards ports and waterways, leads the Nation in drug interdiction and secures the maritime border. As a member of the joint force, a law enforcement organization, a regulatory agency and a member of the U.S. intelligence community, the Coast Guard employs a unique mix of authorities to ensure the safety and integrity of the maritime domain to protect the economic and national security of the nation. The more than 55,000 members of the Coast Guard operate a multi-mission, interoperable fleet of more than 250 cutters, 200 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, 1,600 boats and its own dedicated cyber command to protect critical maritime infrastructure.
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