The U.S. Navy has a cool new trick up its sleeve — its unmanned boats can now autonomously swarm enemy targets.
The technology is called CARACaS (Control Architecture for Robotic Agent Command and Sensing) and it can be fitted on any boat, allowing it to operate either autonomously, or as a part of a "swarm."
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In a YouTube video, the Navy says the breakthrough tech will provide more safety for sailors and marines, because the unmanned boats can approach dangerous targets. “If an adversary were to fire on the USVs, no humans would be at risk.”
The so-called swarmboats are now capable of detecting, deterring, or destroying adversaries. In a press release, the Navy notes weapons fire must be “initiated by a Sailor supervising the mission.”
In a demonstration of the technology in August on the James River in Virginia, as many as 13 Navy boats operated either autonomously or being remotely controlled.
“This kind of breakthrough is the result of the Navy’s long-term support for innovative research in science and technology,” said Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Matthew Klunder.
The Office of Naval Research says the swarming capabilities could one day be used in unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones.