Posted on 02/03/2010 10:15:38 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Those splendid brainboxes at DARPA - the Pentagon's in-house bazaar of the bizarre - have outdone themselves this time. They now plan an entirely uncrewed, automated ghost frigate able to cruise the oceans of the world for months or years on end without human input.
The new project is called Anti-submarine warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV), and is intended to produce "an X-ship founded on the assumption that no person steps aboard at any point in its operating cycle". The uncrewed frigate would have enough range and endurance for "global, months long deployments with no underway human maintenance", being able to cross oceans largely without any human input - communications back to base would be "intermittent", according to DARPA.
In particular, the automated warship would need to avoid crashing into other vessels as it prowled the seas on the business of the US government, a function normally performed by bridge watchkeeping officers. DARPA specifies that the ACTUV must be able to conduct "safe navigation at sea within the framework of maritime law" - that is the International Rules for Prevention of Collisions at Sea, aka "Rule of the Road", which Royal Navy officers have to memorise almost word-perfect.
Then, while weaving in and out of other ships, the crewless frigate must be able to stay on the trail of a well-nigh silent diesel-electric submarine running beneath the waves. Such subs are operated - albeit in small numbers - by various minor powers around the world, and are considered by some in the major navies to be a very serious threat
(Excerpt) Read more at theregister.co.uk ...
UAV: Unmanned Aquatic Vessel. Most likely controlled via HAARP.
No need to sleep. No fear. No families. No pain.
...
No love of country. Terrible idea.
Actually most modern ships with up-to-date navigational systems, do this already.
Drone anti-sub ships are strikingly good ideas!
They can probably control it either a Naval base or even at the Pentagon via satellite uplink.
Suppose it suddenly disappears, then what?
Current maritime law for unmanned vessels (ghost ships) offers some interesting angles for salvage of an unmanned ship, though!
Scramble Naval airplanes to find it.
No bringing back foreign babies from shore leave after the locals enjoy the pleasures of our female sailors.
I meant to imply that somebody might sink it.
Self-reloading destroyers would be efficient as well.
I would think that the ship be able to defend itself.
skynet
You forgot one....no unlawful orders...
Think that we are headed toward automation of both our Air Force amd Navy
That's a whole 'nother kettle of fish, isn't it? If you postulate such a capability, why not a whole goddamn unmanned navy?
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