U.S. Coast Guard Launches RAPTOR to Accelerate Maritime Innovation and Strengthen Domain Dominance
Washington, D.C., January 16, 2026 — In a decisive step toward enhancing maritime operational effectiveness, the U.S. Coast Guard has officially launched the Office of Rapid Response and Prototyping (CG-RAPTOR). This innovative initiative is designed to expedite the identification, development, and deployment of cutting-edge technologies that address urgent operational needs across the Coast Guard’s mission spectrum.
Accelerating Innovation for Operational Excellence
CG-RAPTOR embodies a rapid-response framework aimed at compressing the traditionally lengthy "idea-to-operations" cycle, delivering tested technological solutions within 30, 60, and 90 days. This acceleration involves close collaboration with Coast Guard operators, industry experts, and subject matter specialists to ensure the solutions are directly aligned with operational realities and challenges in maritime security.
Captain Chad Brick, the inaugural chief of CG-RAPTOR, emphasizes the transformative impact of the initiative, stating, “With Force Design 2028, we are completely changing the game on how the Coast Guard delivers our mission through operational agility, integration, and automation. CG-RAPTOR feeds on this transformative approach, rapidly driving cutting-edge technology directly into the hands of our operators for a more effective workforce and to protect our nation’s maritime interests.”
Supporting Force Design 2028 and Homeland Security Objectives
The establishment of CG-RAPTOR is a key component of the Coast Guard’s Force Design 2028 initiative, which represents a strategic roadmap to modernize and strengthen the service’s capabilities. It aligns with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem’s broader push for transformational change aimed at revolutionizing Coast Guard operations to counter adversarial threats and safeguard the nation.
By enabling expedited experimentation with streamlined business processes and technological applications before larger-scale investments, CG-RAPTOR helps foster innovation while mitigating risks and costs associated with traditional acquisition methods.
Early Successes and Demonstration Event
Within just 150 days of its formation, CG-RAPTOR has successfully introduced a suite of advanced technologies, including:
- Advanced unmanned systems for enhanced operational reach
- Innovative personnel management tools to optimize workforce efficiency
- Secure communication platforms to safeguard information exchange
- Real-time readiness tracking systems to improve mission preparedness
To showcase these cutting-edge advancements, CG-RAPTOR is hosting an exclusive demonstration event this Friday in San Diego. The event will highlight the integration of sensor data and video feeds into a unified operational picture, providing tactical situational awareness directly to operators in the field. This capability is pivotal in addressing pressing priorities such as Southern Border interdiction of personal watercraft.
Attendees — including Coast Guard personnel and select invitees — will have the opportunity to experience firsthand how real-time operational intelligence enhances decision-making and mission effectiveness.
Building on a Historic Year
The arrival of CG-RAPTOR coincides with a landmark period for the Coast Guard. Fiscal Year 2025 saw the service intercept a record-breaking 510,000 pounds of cocaine, largely due to high-impact surge operations like Operation Pacific Viper. Additionally, the Coast Guard surpassed recruiting milestones by welcoming over 5,200 new active-duty members, marking the highest intake since 1991. These achievements underscore the vital importance of investing in an agile, technologically advanced force to address the evolving nature of maritime threats and maintain mission superiority.
Fostering a Culture of Innovation
Force Design 2028 not only drives technological modernization but also encourages innovation from within the Coast Guard’s ranks. Through the CG Ideas@Work platform, service members are empowered to contribute their ideas and solutions, ensuring that innovation remains grassroots-driven and closely tied to operational needs.
About the U.S. Coast Guard
The U.S. Coast Guard defends over 95,000 miles of coastline, 25,000 miles of navigable rivers, and a 4.5 million square mile exclusive economic zone. It operates a multi-mission fleet comprising more than 220 cutters, 185 aircraft, 1,300 boats, and a dedicated cyber command. As a unique entity functioning as a military service, a law enforcement agency, and an intelligence organization, the Coast Guard plays a critical role in national security, maritime safety, and environmental stewardship.
For more information on CG-RAPTOR, Force Design 2028, and other Coast Guard initiatives, please visit the official USCG website.
Media contact: mediarelations@uscg.mil
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