Uncrewed vessels still depend on operators and maintenance crews

Should uncrewed combat vessels be described as reduced-crew vessels instead?

Uncrewed describes the absence of a normal onboard crew. The vessels still need remote operators and maintenance teams.

The term uncrewed is appropriate because no crew normally sails aboard the vessel. It can still mislead readers into imagining a system that requires no people. Operators remain ashore or aboard nearby warships, and maintenance teams must still travel to the hull. The label describes the location of personnel, not the disappearance of personnel costs or responsibilities.