The purpose of this research is to forecast technological changes and their effects on Coast Guard man-machine systems. Impact projections are based on a literature review of developments in computers, infrared, lasers, and communications and on an analysis of Search and Rescue, Enforcement of Laws and Treaties, and Marine Environmental Protection missions. Advanced sensors and communications
... [Show full abstract] will permit highly effective search and surveillance by air. Remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs) offer a partial alternative to surface cutters. Computers at operational command centers will be able to process vast amounts of information to aid command decision making, automatic plan preparation, formatting and dissemination, and assume most administrative record keeping functions. Operational systems will become increasingly automated by microcomputers/microprocessors interposed between operator and system. Operator requirements will be reduced. Maintainer requirements will vary, with some reductions and some increases. Practically all personnel will require at least familiarization with computer operation to perform their tasks efficiently. Increased marine farming, mining, and underwater recreation suggest that Coast Guard responsibilities will have to be extended to the subsurface environment. Recommendations are made for conduct of cost-effectiveness studies of RPVs and command computer systems.