Uncrewed systems already perform reconnaissance and individual strikes in the discussion's account. Persistent patrol, presence, and sustained warfighting place different demands on a vessel. No firm timetable is offered for systems able to take over the missions assigned to ships such as Type 31 and Type 26. Vessels around 2,000 to 3,000 tons are suggested as a possible scale for that development. Even after the equipment exists, a navy must work out when to use it and how it fits with the rest of the force. Learning to operate those systems together can take as long as developing the hardware.
Notable Point · 2:54:58-2:57:03
Why uncrewed reconnaissance does not settle the patrol-ship requirement
Persistent operations require suitable vessels and a developed way of using them together with the rest of the fleet.