Robotic War Ships

[xoxoxoBruce]

From Wired.

The Navy has just released its "Master Plan" for robotic ships -- "unmanned surface vessels," in sailor-speak.The idea is to produce a whole bunch of these USVs, to help fight "the Global War on Terror, Irregular Warfare, and conventional campaigns." And to give guns to as many of these sea-bots as possible.

The Navy wants to develop four main classes of USVs. Three of them would be armed.

The three-meter long "X-Class" machines would be for "low-end" snooping and reconnaissance; like a robotic jet ski, with a camera attached.

The "Harbor Class" would be based on the Navy's seven meter long rigid-hulled inflatable boats, or RIBs. These unmanned Zodiacs would be used for dropping mine countermeasures, and fending off boat-borne bad guys with a mix of "lethal and non-lethal armament."

The "Snorkeler Class" is a stealthy, seven-meter submersible that would stay in the water for up to a day at a time, towing mine- and sub-finding-gear -- and maybe even carrying a torpedo or two.

Lastly, there's the "Fleet Class," capable of staying in the water for 48 hours straight, and reaching speeds of up to 35 knots. The eleven-meter long USV would be used to do everything from carrying commandos to shore, jamming enemy communications, neutralizing mines, and delivering a "Harbor Class" drone. Naturally, it would carry its own guns and torpedoes, too, so it could conduct 'high end' surface warfare missions."

Along with the autonomous aircraft and land vehicles planned, the Pentagon can run a whole war, right from their desks.
This scares the hell out of me.

At one time I worried about the professional army, and these robot weapons, carrying on secret wars without our knowing. But the internet has pretty much killed that worry... we'd know.

The worry that hasn't abated, is they will be used on us.