WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Coast Guard announced it will invest nearly $350 million to expand robotics and autonomous systems.

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

Initial investments include:

- $4.8 million to procure 16 VideoRay Defender remotely operated vehicles to replace Deployable Specialized Forces’ aging fleet. - $2 million to procure six Qinetiq Squad Packable Utility Robot and 12 mini-SPUR robots to replace outdated unmanned ground vehicles at Strike Teams. - $4.3 million to purchase 125 SkyDio X10D short-range unmanned aircraft systems.

These investments are the first in a series of robotics and autonomous systems projects the Coast Guard will pursue using OBBBA funding.

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.

Source: U.S. Coast Guard
Associated URL: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4314137/coast-guard-to-invest-350-million-in-robotics-and-autonomous-systems/

WASHINGTON - Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Linthicum Heights, Maryland, was awarded a $97.5 million fixed-price incentive (firm-target) advanced acquisition contract to procure F-35 APG-85 Lot Six long lead time, materials, parts, components, and efforts necessary to protect the APG-85 radar delivery schedule for the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy.

Work will be performed in Baltimore, Maryland, and is expected to be completed in March 2029. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0001925C0010).

Source: U.S. Navy
Associated URL: http://www.defense.gov

SINGAPORE -- Singapore's Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) is teaming up with Razer to explore how gaming-inspired technologies can transform the user experience in controlling drones and robotics.

Through a Memorandum of Understanding, the collaboration will leverage gaming technologies for robotics applications.

The partnership seeks to break new ground in how robotics can be controlled. DSTA’s Robotics Command, Control and Communications (RC3) system will be applied to Razer’s gaming controllers to enable new ways of operating drones and robotics systems for soldiers. The effort focuses on designing interfaces that feel more intuitive and familiar, inspired by advances in gaming technology. Beyond robotics, both organisations will also work together on engagement and outreach initiatives.

Source: Singapore DSTA
Associated URL: https://www.dsta.gov.sg/docs/default-source/news-releases/dsta-razer-news-release.pdf?sfvrsn=d40a658f_1