If it is a drone boat, why does it have a pilot house. I think the report is a bit bogus.
Also, although not American, the problem with the US is that they take concept and supersize them, driving up costs and making them not necessarily ideal for the mission. The Ukraine has been successful as it has concentrated on the samll stuff. They are building some larger drones with longer ranges, but they also have been putting out minni drones by the 1,000s.
For the Kamikazee piloting it.
“they also have been putting out minni drones by the 1,000s”
I understand that production was running at 4 million a year with a goal of 7 million in a year.
Maybe just 1 or 2 people as backup. Sort of like automated subways that still have a person in the driver seat.
We always go far too far. Fit for purpose is not in our wheelhouse.
There may be times, coming into harbor, for instance, when they want a pilot on board.
The US is also building autonomous, unmanned submarines which could loiter on the seafloor, outside of an enemy harbor
The ship is "autonomous". That doesn't exclude carrying personnel. Optionally manned is more accurate than unmanned. In addition to a few sailors to maintain systems, it could no doubt also carry special operation teams. There will also be cases where a Harbor Pilot and bridge crew are required.