The Navy is Preparing To Launch Swarm Bots Out of Cannons

[Jesus Malverde]

Source: Defense One

The U.S. Navy will launch up to 30 synchronized drones within one minute, possibly from a single cannon-like device, in what marks a significant advance in robot autonomy. The drones, when airborne, will then unfold their wings and conduct a series of maneuvers and simulated missions with very little human guidance over the course of 90 minutes.

Navy officials announced on Tuesday that they intend to stage a key demonstration of the swarm bots from what the Navy is calling a “tube-based launcher,” essentially, a big cannon, next year.

The program, which the Navy is called Low-Cost UAV Swarming Technology, or LOCUST, marks a significant advance in applications for robotic swarming software. In August, the Office of Naval Research, or ONR, which is behind the program, demonstrated a swarming configuration of 13 robotic boats on Virginia’s James River. The boats were able to perform a variety of tasks to protect a high-value ship from incoming craft.


Read more: http://www.defenseone.com/technology/2015/04/navy-preparing-launch-swarm-bots-out-cannons/110167/

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[bloomington-lib]

1. Seems like it would be easy enough for an opponent to have some kind of technology

that would disrupt the signals allowing then to coordinate. Maybe this would be a weapon against civilians or a very low tech enemy.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Remember the old Spy vs Spy cartoons?

This will lead to attack/counter-attack times infinity.

[Scootaloo]

4. Have we gone after any other sort of foe since 1945?

[Adrahil]

7. Secure broad spectrum links have existed for a long while now.

Very hard to disrupt those.

[NBachers]

3. Great for crowd control when the peasants complain that their lives are being harvested.

[blkmusclmachine]

5. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BWueiyYIYAAfqWG.png

[peacebird]

6. Love your sig

[dembotoz]

8. this is pretty damn cool

As long as it is not aimed at me