Crowded rivers place minesweepers among merchant vessels and other traffic with human crews. A replacement needs awareness in every direction and the ability to respond to those movements. An uncrewed vessel could provide that capability, but the estimate is that its necessary systems and facilities would still require a craft of roughly 60 tons. The anticipated expense supports retaining a small crew as a practical design option.
Notable Point · 1:35:05-1:35:53
Why a crewed river minesweeper may cost less than full autonomy
Traffic awareness and the systems needed for an uncrewed vessel make a small crew an attractive option for future Danube minesweepers.