![]() The challenge is if a swarm or fleet of drones attacks at once. Russia's Marshal Shaposhnikov anti-submarine destroyer fires during the 'Vostok-2022' military exercises at the Peter the Great Gulf of the Sea of Japan outside the city of Vladivostok on September 5, 2022. "The Ukrainians have been lucky in that the Russians haven't been very good, they're not prepared, they don't have the right defenses, so even a small number of these drone boats can get in and cause a lot of damage," Bryan Clark, a former US Navy officer and defense expert at the Hudson Institute, told Insider. Prior to the hits on Olenegorsky Gornyak and Sig, previous naval drone attacks have terrorized Russian ships in the Black Sea. Without a full-fledged navy - save a few patrol boats - Ukraine's leaders have become inventive, seeking to develop what they call "the world's first naval fleet of drones." The result, thus far, has been an "asymmetrical advantage" for Ukraine, an expert previously told Insider.īut the attacks also suggest Russia has not prioritized defending against these drones, especially as Ukraine has ramped up its drone boat usage in recent weeks. The success of Ukrainian USVs against Russian ships is in part due to the novel threat they pose. Robots may provide some relief, but the Navy and the US shipbuilding industry may need deeper solutions.Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. ![]() However, it makes little sense to spend billions of dollars on new ships when existing vessels can't be properly maintained. The US Navy has a battleforce of about 300 ships and plans to increase that to 381. China also has much more shipbuilding capacity than the US to continue its expansion. The Chinese navy now has the world's largest battlefleet, with about 350 surface combat vessels and submarines. The Navy's maintenance woes have generated more concern for US officials who are worried by China's steady naval expansion. They also make fixing a vessel that much harder when it finally goes into dockyard. Skipping routine maintenance and delaying needed repairs and upgrades do more than undercut a ship's efficiency. USS Boise, nuclear-powered attack submarine that has been sitting in port awaiting maintenance since 2017, has been called the " poster child" for that problem, but many ships have faced protracted delays for repairs and modernization, including several cruisers, the missile-toting warships that are the Navy's largest surface combatants. They could inspect and repair ships while sparing human workers from exposure to toxic substances and hazardous conditions. Multiple types of drones are at the heart of the concept, including aerial drones and unmanned underwater vehicles, as well as remotely operated vehicles that are controlled by a human operator through cables. The solicitation cited penetrant testing, ultrasonic testing, and magnetic testing as possible solutions. Current non-destructive inspections are "very labor intensive," the Navy noted. Autonomous non-destructive inspection of ships, planes, and shipyard facilities without damaging any components. ![]() This would help create digital twins and interactive virtual models to assist maintenance. Autonomous 3D scanning of ships, planes, and vehicles, including aircraft carriers.However, perhaps because of potential labor unrest, the Navy noted that "these digital solutions serve as a force-multiplier, and not a replacement for the workforce." This would also include automated cranes and forklifts. AI and analytical tools to schedule shipyard work, enable 24/7 operations, and monitor logistics.Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. ![]()
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