The U.S. Marine Corps is exploring the potential of the Autonomous Low-Profile Vessel, an unmanned resupply boat prototype, inspired by tactics used by drug traffickers. This innovation is in response to the challenge of moving weapons in contested waters to resupply units without endangering crewed ships.
Key Points:
- The Marine Corps is adopting strategies from drug traffickers, using low-profile vessels that are hard to detect.
- The Autonomous Low-Profile Vessel prototype can carry two Naval Strike Missiles and operates in shallow waters, allowing Marines to resupply from the beach.
- Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl indicated that the vessels are relatively low-cost, making them almost expendable in high-risk situations.
- The Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory is currently experimenting with the prototype, with potential deployment in a couple of years.
- Heckl emphasized the importance of automation, referencing the expeditionary fast transport ship Apalachicola, which can operate autonomously for up to 30 days.
