U.S. testing robot warship that can hunt enemy submarines
- 7 years ago
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA — The U.S. military is currently testing an autonomous sea vessel with the ability to track enemy submarines.
The Sea Hunter is being trialled by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). It’s designed primarily to hunt submarines equipped with quiet electric-diesel engines.
The 40-meter-long vessel can travel at 31 miles per hour and has no armaments. Its design resembles a Polynesian outrigger canoe. This helps it navigate the ocean and handle challenging 6-meter-high waves.
According to the Department of Defence, advanced software and hardware allow it to operate autonomously around other vessels and remain at sea for months at a time.
Testing is expected to finish in 2018. If it is successful, it will be handed over to the U.S. Navy.
The Sea Hunter is being trialled by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). It’s designed primarily to hunt submarines equipped with quiet electric-diesel engines.
The 40-meter-long vessel can travel at 31 miles per hour and has no armaments. Its design resembles a Polynesian outrigger canoe. This helps it navigate the ocean and handle challenging 6-meter-high waves.
According to the Department of Defence, advanced software and hardware allow it to operate autonomously around other vessels and remain at sea for months at a time.
Testing is expected to finish in 2018. If it is successful, it will be handed over to the U.S. Navy.