U.S. Navy Prepares for Integration of Autonomous Maritime Technology
The U.S. Navy is advancing its efforts to integrate autonomous maritime technology into its operations. Blue Water Autonomy, a company specializing in drone vessels, is preparing for testing opportunities with the Navy. The company's CEO, Rylan Hamilton, highlighted the importance of determining the timeline for deploying unmanned systems within the fleet. The Liberty Class, a nearly 200-foot autonomous surface vessel, has completed over a thousand hours of sea trials this year. Production is set to begin later this year at Conrad Shipyard in Louisiana. The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) has emphasized the need for integrating robotic and autonomous systems into military assets, noting their potential to enhance operational capabilities. However, a dedicated unmanned systems strategy is not yet established, as the Navy is still exploring command and control frameworks.