Pentagon Developing Naval Drone Swarms for War With China
The US Navy will test surface and underwater drone swarms next month in preparation for a future war with China. In the near term, American defense officials have warned that war with China over Taiwan could break out. The US is developing drone swarms in other domains for war in the Pacific.
Adm. Sam Paparo, the head of the US Pacific Fleet, explained, “Beginning in March, we’ll execute Integrated Battle Problem 24.1.” He said it involves a “test and experiment” with naval drone swarms.
The weapons being developed include a “large-diameter” unmanned submarine and “small uncrewed surface vessels that are functionally meant to be an interceptor.” The drones will be integrated with air and surface drones with AI for a potential war with China.