The U.S. Navy is preparing to unveil a fleet of drone boats that are designed to offer added protection to naval vessels and attack hostile forces if necessary, Silicon Republic reported.
The project, dubbed as the Control Architecture for Robotic Agent Command and Sensing (CARACaS) was developed by the Office of Naval Research (ONR). It involves the use of multiple drone boats or unmanned surface vehicles (USVs).
Interestingly, the technological components of the CARACaS can be placed inside a kit and installed on almost any kind of water vessel. Doing so will enable the boat to operate autonomously without human assistance.
CARACaS was tested in August of this year in Virginia's James River. Thirteen naval boats, equipped with sensors and drone-technology were deployed to complete various exercises.
Through artificial intelligence technology or remote control, the boats can be programmed to safely escort other ships or attack enemy vessels as a group.
"Our sailors and marines can't fight tomorrow's battles using yesterday's technology," Rear Admiral Matthew Klunder said in a press release from the ONR.
"This kind of breakthrough is the result of the Navy's long-term support for innovative research in science and technology," he added.
According to Admiral Jonathan Greenert, the chief of naval operations, CARACaS is an effective way of giving the U.S.'s naval forces a decisive edge in battle.
"This networking unmanned platforms demonstration was a cost-effective way to integrate many small, cheap, and autonomous capabilities that can significantly improve our warfighting advantage," he said.
Dr. Robert Brizzolara, the program manager of ONR noted that aside from escort operations, the drone boats can also be deployed to potentially dangerous situations, Daily Digest News reported.
"This multiplies combat power by allowing CARACaS-enabled boats to do some of the dangerous work," he said. "It will remove our sailors and marines from many dangerous situations - for instance when they need to approach hostile or suspicious vessels."
"If an adversary were to fire on the USVs, no humans would be at risk," he added.
