The Navy’s New Ship Can Run Without Humans for 30 Straight Days
Story by Sascha Brodsky • 3h ago
The U.S. Navy’s new ship can run by itself for up to one month.
The USNS Apalachicola can carry sailors or be used as an uncrewed missile platform, among other utilities.
Autonomous ships won’t completely replace crewed vessels just yet.
The U.S. Navy has received a prototype ship that can operate autonomously at sea for up to 30 days. The 337-foot USNS Apalachicola will be the Navy’s largest-ever self-running craft. It’s part of a growing wave of drone planes and ships that could transform combat in the coming decades.
With its shallow-hulled design, the Apalachicola is speedy and can maneuver where other ships can’t. The boat has a maximum speed of 40 knots, a maximum payload capacity of 544 metric tons, and a draft of 12.5 feet. The vessel can carry humans or be used as an uncrewed missile platform, anti-submarine weapons platform, radar, sensor craft, or drone mothership.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/the-navy-s-new-ship-can-run-without-humans-for-30-straight-days/ar-AA17QNJA?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=df29c30c16294961aa06e435d5d042f7
