A recent test by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) of unmanned swarming boats leads the way for possible future autonomous missions.
Under development for more than a decade, the ONR’s CARACaS (Control Architecture for Robotic Agent Command and Sensing) technology cuts back on resources and manpower during routine, often dangerous missions.
Instead of deploying four patrol boats with five sailors each, one or two officers can remotely monitor an unmanned fleet from an operations center.
The inexpensive and expendable ships are meant to detect, deter, and detain unauthorized or threatening vessels. First demonstrated in 2014 when they protected a high-value ship from simulated attackers, the unmanned vehicles work cooperatively to confuse water-bound enemies.
