How much can automation reduce the crew required by a warship?
Short answerSubstantially, especially when automated monitoring finds faults quickly and system redundancy replaces some labour-intensive checking and backup work.
NotesThe answer locates much of automation's crewing benefit in monitoring and diagnosis rather than in a completely unattended ship. Sailors spend substantial time tracing the exact source of a fault before they can repair it. Computerised systems can identify that location sooner, letting fewer people maintain more equipment. Multiple redundant systems can also replace some redundancy formerly provided by additional crew. The resulting crew reduction is therefore tied to ship design, maintenance workflow, and backup architecture.