Remote controlled warships??!!

[Centurion40]

 :o

http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/106459-group-floats-idea-of-remote-controlled-vessel

[Barthheart]

If it's remote controlled then why does it look like there's a seat behind the front gun mount?!?!  :P

[Centurion40]

Ride alongs?  Pay-per-view?

[Barthheart]

Overall seems like a neat idea the smaller nations could use to patrol their shores..... OR pirates could by/steal and use for their own purposes. :P

[Shelldrake]

If it's remote controlled then why does it look like there's a seat behind the front gun mount?!?!  :P

It is also odd to have cockpit windows for a remote controlled vessel. Perhaps the artist missed the remote control part of the description.

[Centurion40]

Or maybe it's going to be built to operate either manned or remote controlled.

[mirth]

Yeah, it's meant to be manned when needed:

While designed to be controlled via satellite, the vessels could also carry people, he said.

"It will carry as many as 12 special forces personnel, plus the pilot and co-pilot," Saunders said.

What I don't see is the need to have them remotely operated. Seems like any of the patrol functions carried out remotely could be better done by unmanned aerial drones.

[MIGMaster]

There is a company in Alberta that is heavy into maritime drones - mostly surface I think - and they are really pushing the drone ship concept to gov't.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

Yeah, it's meant to be manned when needed:

While designed to be controlled via satellite, the vessels could also carry people, he said.

"It will carry as many as 12 special forces personnel, plus the pilot and co-pilot," Saunders said.

What I don't see is the need to have them remotely operated. Seems like any of the patrol functions carried out remotely could be better done by unmanned aerial drones.

UAVs have this problem that they fall out of the sky when they stop burning fuel. A remote mini coast guard cutter can just sit in an area until needed.

[jomni]

Singapore already have remote controlled patrol craft.
Although it's a pretty small one.

http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/navy/assets/unmannedsurfacevehicles.html

[LongBlade]

Singapore already have remote controlled patrol craft.
Although it's a pretty small one.

http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/navy/assets/unmannedsurfacevehicles.html

It looks pretty improvised with a tarp tie-down lacing along the seams. Not a bad low-cost alternative, just an observation.

[Centurion40]

Robo-RHIB!

[mirth]

Looks like it would be perfect for operations at the local lakes. Definitely could convince the speed boaters to slow down.

[Centurion40]

Probably ideal for patrolling border lakes and rivers in Texas.

[Barthheart]

Probably ideal for patrolling border lakes and rivers in Texas.

Pffttt... Lake Ontario and Erie for smokes runners....