The U.S. Coast Guard is shaking up its approach to innovation with the launch of the Office of Rapid Response and Prototyping (CG-RAPTOR). This new hub is designed to turbocharge the development and deployment of cutting-edge technologies, ensuring Coast Guard personnel have the tools they need to succeed in an evolving maritime landscape.
CG-RAPTOR is a key pillar of the Coast Guard’s Force Design 2028 initiative, which aims to modernize operations and enhance mission capabilities. By fostering collaboration between operators, industry leaders, and subject matter experts, CG-RAPTOR is cutting through bureaucracy and accelerating the “idea-to-operations” cycle. The goal? Deliver solutions in as little as 30 days.
“CG-RAPTOR is all about speed and agility,” said a Coast Guard spokesperson. “We’re talking about rapid prototyping and deployment—getting tools into the hands of our personnel when they need them most.”
In just 150 days, CG-RAPTOR has already made waves. The office has introduced unmanned systems, personnel management tools, secure communications platforms, and real-time readiness tracking. These innovations are not just theoretical—they’re being put to the test in real-world scenarios, from Southern Border operations to drug interdiction missions.
This Friday, CG-RAPTOR will host an exclusive demonstration in San Diego, giving Coast Guard personnel and select invitees a firsthand look at the latest advancements. The event will showcase integrated sensor data and video feed capabilities, offering direct-to-operator tactical situational awareness. This technology is critical for emerging priorities like personal watercraft interdiction along the Southern Border.
The launch of CG-RAPTOR comes amid a broader push by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to transform how the Coast Guard operates. By experimenting with streamlined business processes and applications before making larger enterprise investments, the Coast Guard is ensuring that every dollar spent delivers maximum impact.
The timing couldn’t be better. Fiscal year 2025 was a historic year for the Coast Guard, marked by record-breaking achievements. The service seized a staggering 510,000 pounds of cocaine, setting a new benchmark for drug interdiction efforts. Additionally, the Coast Guard surpassed its recruiting goals, welcoming over 5,200 new active-duty members—the highest annual total since 1991.
But the Coast Guard isn’t stopping there. Members are encouraged to submit their ideas and solutions through the CG Ideas@Work platform, a crowdsourcing tool that empowers every member to contribute to the future of the service. This collaborative approach ensures that innovation isn’t just top-down—it’s a collective effort that leverages the insights and experiences of those on the front lines.
As the Coast Guard continues to evolve, CG-RAPTOR will play a pivotal role in driving technological advancements and operational efficiencies. By fostering a culture of rapid innovation and collaboration, the Coast Guard is positioning itself to meet the challenges of tomorrow head-on.