Navy LUSV Drone Boats to Fire Weapons With "Strike Payloads" Controlled by Humans
Published on September 25, 2023
The U.S. Navy is expanding its deployment of Large Unmanned Surface Vehicles (LUSVs) in international waters off Japan, aiming to test and refine maritime vessel autonomy and coordinate missions with regional allies. These LUSVs are part of the Navy's Ghost Fleet program, enabling autonomous and semi-autonomous operations with the potential for large weapons systems and strike payloads, including anti-ship missiles. While AI-enabled autonomous systems can rapidly detect and respond to threats, they will still require human "in-the-loop" command and control for any use of lethal force. The Navy's efforts reflect the growing significance of AI in modern warfare, with AI-powered systems playing a crucial role in future operations.