THE NAVY'S FIRST UNMANNED FLEET EXERCISE LAUNCHES OFF WEST COAST

摘要

As the Navy is moving toward unmanning part of its future fleet via air, surface and underwater drones - plans that have prompted skepticism from some in Congress - U.S. 3rd Fleet hosted the sea service's first fleet exercise focused on unmanned systems. Dubbed "Unmanned Integrated Battle Problem 21," the exercise for the first time placed the fleet's burgeoning drone assets along-side manned vessels in different scenarios. Because many of the details of the exercise are classified, the sea service was largely mum on what the unmanned ves- sels would actually be doing. Rear Adm. Jim Aiken, who led the exercise, told reporters one scenario involved using drones to extend the sight of a warship, which then shot a missile at a target from long range.