posted on Aug, 31 2004 @ 01:26 AM
I highly doubt we will see something like this in near future
(50 years) Just the thought giving all the reactor controlsl to the machine is
terrible. What happens if some part breaks up?
And also hunting down enemy submarines, analyzing sonar sounds, navigation etc. need much much better AI than flying an UCAV that could be controlled
anytime by operator.
I don't say UUVs are impossible, but I don't think they will be huge automated nuclear subs. They will look like a current torpedoes and they will
be also launched from the torpedo tubes.
They could extend submarine sensors range, search and clear minefields and also help detecting enemy submarines (especially using active sonar,
because it's use is giving away your position but minisub could do it because it is cheap and expendable).
Also I don't think the minisub would use nuclear propulsion, futuristic batteries and quiet electric engines are better option. The only nuclear
propulsion they can use could be plutonium batteries or the new quantum reactor.