- Sea drones are reshaping naval warfare.
- Ukraine, Houthi rebels, and Israeli forces are using sea drones for military operations.
- The US Navy is looking to deploy sea drones to expand its hybrid fleet at a fast pace and low cost.
Cheaply made but relatively effective, sea drones are reshaping naval warfare tactics in conflicts around the globe.
Ukraine’s navy turned the tide in the Black Sea, taking out Russian frigates and minesweepers with remote-controlled Jet-Ski-style speed boats loaded with explosives.
Houthi rebels are targeting commercial vessels and US warships in the Red Sea with bomb-laden drone boats, though many of the drones have been intercepted by the US and allied forces.
Israel’s navy deployed unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), including a 30-foot rigid-hulled inflatable boat called the Protector, to intercept enemy boats and protect its coastline.
The US Navy is jumping in too.
The service is experimenting with sea drones in combat environments to expand its hybrid manned-unmanned fleet at a faster pace and lower cost. Each naval drone costs between $1 million and $3 million.
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