32 Proceedings Spring 2025 operational edge and back again. The RDC, supported by a multitude of part- ners, continues to design, configure, and test hybrid satellite/terrestrial communication solu- tions to convey situational awareness data prod- ucts. Research in this field centers on resilience, frequently employing layered solutions to main- tain continuity, and agility to enable smooth integration with evolving maritime platforms and devices. “The tools we now have available, particu- larly what has emerged in the last few years, have opened the floodgates to high-bandwidth transmission from the most remote regions on Earth,” Lester said. “But with these solutions comes the challenge of reliability, affordability, and scaling. The data is of such tremendous value, once provided it’s hard to operate with- out it.” Coast Guard research applies analysis and optimization techniques to this technological puzzle with performance and fiscal trade-offs to ensure the most efficient use of resources and maximize the availability of deployed sensor assets. Coast Guard research into emerging sen- sor technologies, nontraditional deployment opportunities, and advanced networking is transforming the way we monitor and protect our maritime domain. With the power of data to enhance operational effectiveness and efficiency not fully realized, the lessons of today’s experi- ments will have a direct impact on tomorrow’s mission outcomes. The immense potential of a real-time, scalable, and high-resolution situ- ational awareness toolset is likely to transform the art of operational decision-making well into the future. By harnessing advanced technologies and examining performance at the operational edge, the RDC is delivering new tools to face the dynamic maritime environment, secure the maritime domain, and safeguard life at sea. About the author: Evan Gross currently serves as the Surface Branch chief at the Coast Guard Research and Development Center in New Lon- don, Connecticut. He leads a team tasked with the develop- ment and execution of research projects that deliver advanced capabilities for Coast Guard afloat operations. Gross gradu- ated from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with a Bachelor of Science degree in materials science engi- neering in 2006 and also holds a Master of Engineering degree in integrated product development from the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey. RDC uncrewed test assets, used in remotesensing field experimentation, are displayed in New London, Connecticut, in June 2024. Coast Guard photo by Evan Gross Terrestrial and satellite networking solutions enable remote operation and data transmission from the 26RDC, an uncrewed surface vessel testbed, in July 2024. Coast Guard photo by Evan Gross
