31 Spring 2025 Proceedings Maritime Domain Awareness On Demand Sensordeployment research at the edge by eVaN Gross Branch Chief Research and Development Center U.S. Coast Guard C oast Guard operating environments are marked by vastness, complexity, and ever-changing conditions, presenting unique challenges to operational decision-making. At present, the power of situational awareness data— information that helps peo- ple understand and respond to their environment—on operational effectiveness cannot be overstated. The Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) fields a steady demand for technologies that provide a tactical advantage in these dynamic settings. Research into emerging sensor technologies, deploy- ment strategies, and tactical networking is critical to fully realizing the benefits of actionable maritime domain awareness. Fueled by increasingly low-cost sens- ing and networking technologies, sensor deployment experimentation is being executed in close proximity to real-world operations. This research activity promises to deliver cost-effective, high-resolution situational aware- ness tools, enhancing operations across the service’s mission set. The Ubiquity of Low-Cost Sensor Capabilities Today, multiple Coast Guard research initiatives lever- age the widespread availability of low-cost, off-the-shelf sensor technologies, creating an array of deployable data sources. Teamed with tactical networking solutions and edge-processing capabilities, this design concept offers rapid emplacement, limitless customization, and accept- able attrition thresholds. Intelligently linking these sources increases their value further, creating mobile and adaptive sensor networks which can adjust rapidly to the changing needs of the mission. Taking full advantage of edge-computing techniques—the practice of process- ing data closer to its source, rather than at a central data center—by integrating ruggedized and weatherproof processing units, analysis and interpretation functions can be enabled close to the sensors themselves, reducing latency and optimizing data use. “Low-cost sensing solutions have significantly lowered the barriers to operational data access,” said Derek Meier, a senior engineer at the RDC. “As research- ers, we are exploring the impacts of current technology on mission performance, while also attempting to pre- dict how technology deployment by our service and adversaries will shape the future operational landscape.” Novel Approaches to Maritime Sensor Deployment Along with studying the rapid advancement of tech- nology itself, research teams are also exploring inno- vative methods for deployment within the maritime environment to address the limitations associated with traditional fixed sensors. From uncrewed aircraft and surface vessels, to buoys which incorporate solar and wind power, a growing number of platforms act as reli- able sensor hosts, even in harsh conditions. Despite the rapid advancement of technology in this market, strate- gic and often layered sensor deployment schemes must be shaped by trials in the field. “Development of dynamic and adaptive sensor de- ployment strategies [is] needed to enable rapid response and flexible reconfiguration that keeps pace with evolv- ing needs or threats,” said Sean Lester, a technical division branch chief at the RDC. “Uncrewed systems represent a prime vector for flexible sensor deployment, especially when teamed with improved integration of sensors on legacy assets and infrastructure.” Strategic Use of Tactical Networking Technologies As experimentation evolves into proved concepts and transferable capabilities, additional elements often appear to challenge the full implementation of the research. In the case of next-generation remote sensing, reliable connectivity and ensured data throughput is an ever- present contest. While modern solutions such as Mobile Ad-Hoc Networking, or MANET, Proliferated Low-Earth Orbit, or PLEO, satellite services, and AI-enabled net- work management are better than ever, a fair amount of ingenuity is still required to deliver critical data from the
