US Navy announces new prototype vessel USNS Apalachicola capable of autonomous sailing for 30 days.
The ship is 337 ft long, can reach speeds of 40 knots, and has a shallow-hulled design allowing it to venture into places other ships can't reach.
It can launch anti-submarine weapons, is equipped with sensor craft and radar, and can recover rigid inflatable boats.
Machinery Control System and Automated In-House design enable centralized machinery operations with little to no crew.
US Navy successfully made a prototype in 2022 from Ghost Fleet Overlord for the drone ship game.
Private entities are helping the Navy test autonomous sailboats for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.
US Navy hopes to enter a drone ship game with this vessel.