Merchant ships in a threatened convoy should have some ability to defend themselves. This is one role where containerized power, sensors, and weapons may be more practical than fitting every merchant hull permanently. The package must also include accommodation and support for the people who operate and repair it. Minimally crewed systems can reduce manpower, but salt water will break equipment in ways designers did not expect. Human maintainers therefore remain part of naval resilience even when the defensive hardware is modular or highly automated.
Notable Point · 18:19-19:50
Merchant self-defense still needs maintainers at sea
Containerized sensors and weapons could give convoyed merchant ships limited self-defense, but salt-water failures make trained maintainers and accommodation part of the package.