U.S. Navy’s Giant Autonomous Ship: A Game-Changer in the Challenge Against China

Deployment of Autonomous Ships
The Future of the U.S. Navy
Numerical Superiority Becomes Irrelevant

The United States is susceptible to losing its citizens, including military personnel. It becomes even more serious when the cause of death is combat. As a result, the U.S. has been more proactive than any other country in the world in automating warfare. Since the 2000s, it has carried out operations through unmanned combat aircraft and other means, making attempts that other countries would not dare. This direction applies not only to the Air Force but also to the Army and Navy.

Recently, the U.S. Navy received a large autonomous ship from its domestic shipbuilding company, Austal USA. This is part of the autonomous shipping project that the U.S. Navy focuses on, aiming to develop unmanned fleets.

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Expeditionary Landing Ship
Operational for Over 10 Years

The vessel, fitted with autonomous driving capabilities, bears the official EPF (Expeditionary Fast Transport) Spearhead class designation. This ship’s development was undertaken with a focus on accommodating U.S. overseas expeditions and landing operations. Navy and Army. It can transport a total of 312 troops and can carry up to 30 armored landing combat vehicles when performing landing operations.

The U.S. military has been operating this ship since 2012. The USNS Apalachicola, equipped with autonomous driving features, is the 13th Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport. This ship is particularly advantageous for deploying troops on the coast quickly.

Autonomous Driving Features Applied
Construction of Unmanned Fleet Begins

The most recent autonomous driving system, originating from Australia and the USA, has been integrated into this ship. The EPF vessel was primarily automated right from its design phase. With the addition of autonomous driving features, it boasts a high level of unmanned operation that can carry out operations for 30 days without human intervention.

The U.S. military is constructing several unmanned fleets that do not require personnel or minimal personnel. They plan to dispatch them to various straits where crises are occurring or to the ocean by applying drone technology. With unmanned fleets stationed at major ports worldwide, the U.S. can potentially deploy its physical force anywhere there is access to the sea.

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Population Difference Becomes Irrelevant

If asked to name the single military factor the U.S. lags behind China, it would be the number of military personnel derived from population. However, the U.S. seems to offset this through drones, unmanned fleets, and unmanned aircraft. Unmanned forces, cheaper than humans but smarter and execute input commands without hesitation, are set to be the most critical military force on future battlefields.