Ghost Fleets: What does Maritime Autonomous Systems Integration offer the RCN?

As maritime security environments grow increasingly complex, particularly in remote and contested regions like the Arctic, the RCN is considering adoption of maritime autonomous systems (MAS) to enhance surveillance, extend operational reach, and reduce risk to personnel.

VAdm (Retd) Bob Davidson CMM, MSC CD, Cdr. Ryan Bell, and Kate E. Todd discuss the application of MAS, or 'Ghost Fleets', and how they can complement traditional vehicles in the RCN.

They explore the challenges and advantages of MAS, particularly in the Arctic, its potential to allow personnel to focus more on strategic decision-making and mission planning, its role in enhancing maritime domain awareness, the need for optionally-manned vessels and the importance of human intervention in critical situations, and the importance of interoperability, standardization, and collaboration with NATO allies and Five Eyes partners.

As maritime autonomous systems evolve, the central challenge will be not just technological integration, but ensuring they are employed ethically, strategically, and in alignment with international norms.

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The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security.
 
Learn more: CDA Institute (https://cdainstitute.ca/)

The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security.

Learn more: CDA Institute