Q-ships against pirates and uncrewed attack craft

Would a disguised cruiser be useful for protecting modern shipping lanes from pirates and uncrewed attack craft?

It could work as a Q-ship, but a single recognizable vessel would lose surprise; a broader armed-merchant approach would be more useful.

The proposed vessel is essentially a modern Q-ship: an apparently vulnerable merchant hull using offensive weapons for convoy defence. Its method is offensive in execution but defensive in purpose, drawing pirates or uncrewed craft close enough to be destroyed. One recognizable ship would quickly lose surprise once opponents learned its identity and appearance. The panel therefore suggests that a broader armed-merchant-cruiser approach may provide more persistent protection for shipping lanes.