NOAA examines optionally manned survey
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is exploring the possibility of converting some of its manned survey vessels into optionally manned craft.
Having used unmanned maritime systems, including USV and AUVs, for the past 15 years NOAA is well versed in the operational benefits and drawbacks. The administration sees that optionally manned conversions would be able to draw on the positives that unmanned technology provides and reduce exposure to technological limitations.
RAdm Shepard Smith, director of the office for coast survey at NOAA, told delegates at the Unmanned Maritime Systems Technology conference in London that at present the
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