33 U.S.C. § 4102 Coordination Regarding Assessment and Acquisition By National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of Unmanned Maritime Systems

• Library: United States Statutes
• Edition: 2023 Edition
• Currency: Current through P.L. 118-19 (published on www.congress.gov on 10/06/2023)

(a) Establishment

The Administrator shall direct the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (in this chapter referred to as "OAR") and the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (in this chapter referred to as "OMAO")-

(1) to coordinate the Administration's research, assessment, and acquisition of unmanned maritime systems; and

(2) to consider the use of unmanned maritime systems in cooperative activities of the Administration.

(b) Coordination within the Administration

(1) Unmanned Systems Executive Oversight Board

In meeting the requirements described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall-

(A) utilize the Unmanned Systems Executive Oversight Board (in this chapter referred to as the "USEOB") as the coordinating mechanism; and

(B) ensure that OAR and OMAO address requirements throughout the Administration.

(2) Included

In utilizing the USEOB under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall ensure that representation on the USEOB is included from the following:

(A) The Office of Ocean Exploration (OER).

(B) The program office of the Integrated Ocean Observing System.

(C) Such other offices of the Administration as the Administrator determines are actively engaged with unmanned maritime systems.

(c) Coordination with the Navy

(1) In general

In carrying out this chapter, the Administrator shall-

(A) make efforts to coordinate with the Secretary of the Navy to leverage expertise in the development and operational transition of unmanned maritime systems;

(B) align with, utilize, and inform the Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Operations and the Oceanographer of the Navy's strategic and operational priorities, particularly for missions and geography within the Administration's purview;

(C) seek to utilize Naval unmanned systems test or training ranges, such as the Gulf of Mexico Unmanned Systems Test and Training Range of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, and maximize interagency cooperation and sharing of best practices; and

(D) to formalize coordination, execute a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of the Navy that includes-

(i) incorporating consideration of priorities and requirements of the Administration into research and development activities conducted by the Secretary of the Navy;

(ii) consultation intended to encourage and facilitate efforts by the Administration to partner with the Navy to procure unmanned maritime systems and to establish, instrument, and operate test or training ranges and related facilities;