CARACaS: US Navy Testing Drone Boats
Trending News: The US Navy Is Testing Swarming Drone Boats
Why Is This Important?Drones aren't just for remote airborne strikes any more — they're coming to the water as military engagement becomes ever-more automated.
Long Story ShortThe US Navy has launched a fleet of intelligent, remote-controlled boats that can be programmed to act defensively or offensively when working in a swarm. Direct human interaction is optional — these robot boats can be set to operate autonomously if required.
Long StoryThe US Navy has announced a new fleet of unmanned vessels called Autonomous Swarm. These boats can be controlled remotely or act using their own artificial intelligence to group together and "deter, damage or destroy an enemy threat." They're designed to offer protection to larger ships and keep enemy craft at bay, like a robotic gang of guard dogs keeping watch on the surrounding waters.
"When we look at Autonomous Swarm, we're not talking about a single vessel," says Rear Admiral Matthew Klunder, Chief of Naval Research, "we're talking about multiple vessels that can be in a defensive posture, and then when called upon can become offensive, [able to] surround an adversary, let them know that you are coming no closer to our ship." If warnings are not heeded then the swarm of boats can open fire.
Navy officials say this first-of-its-kind technology could be used to prevent incidents such as the attack on the USS Cole near Yemen in 2000. A small boat packed with explosives plowed into the USS Cole while it was refueling, killing 17 members of the crew and wounding 39 others. With an automated swarm of unmanned boats on patrol, the suicide bombers wouldn't get anywhere near their target.
A sensor and software kit called CARACaS (Control Architecture for Robotic Agent Command and Sensing) is fitted to each boat to enable swarming capabilities — no major modifications are required for the boat itself, and the developers behind the say it could be fitted to almost any similar small vessel with a few adaptations. The equipment was originally developed by NASA to help pilot the Mars Rover.
As for these unmanned boats going rogue and attacking a harbor — surely a key concern for everyone as our military units become infiltrated by robotics and software — Navy officials say there's no danger of that happening. A human interaction and decision is required before the Autonomous Swarm boats will discharge weaponry or open fire.