Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:49:26-2:51:38

The harsh environment for uncrewed surface vessels

A fully drone navy faces a basic maritime problem: salt water, humidity, motion, and navigation make surface operations much harder than flying through air.

Maritime EnvironmentNaval TechnologySurface CombatantsUncrewed Systems
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Question

Would Jackie Fisher in 2021 build a fully drone navy?

Short answer

Probably not: he was innovative but conservative in execution, and the sea is a punishing environment for autonomous surface systems.

Notes

Jackie Fisher was innovative while remaining attentive to proven designs. His final choices often developed an existing cruiser pattern instead of adopting the most radical arrangement available. A fully autonomous navy would also have to solve navigation, reliability, and control at sea rather than merely demonstrate an unmanned vessel. Electronics must survive salt, humidity, motion, and constant corrosion in an environment far harsher than the air through which many successful drones operate.