'Marine drones' tested in Toulon

[The Straight Story]

'Marine drones' tested in Toulon


An odd underwater ballet has been unfolding in the Mediterranean port these past few days with new robots being tested for potential future naval use to combat threats

Under the scrutiny of their masters, whose eyes are glued to computer screens, the world's first fleet of "marine drones" is being put through its paces.

Five European countries -- France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal -- have sent prototypes here under a four-year, four-million-euro ($5.32-million) programme to build a squad of unmanned underwater rovers.

Deployed from a surface vessel, but communicating among themselves and using artificial intelligence, the wireless scouts would spread out in a surveillance network.

Using video cameras and echosounders, the explorers would help to create 3D maps of underwater terrain, benefiting oceanographers, archaeologists,offshore oil and gas drillers, pollution monitors, marine biologists and other civilian users.

http://www.thelocal.fr/20130727/marine-drones-tested-in-toulon

[Arctic Dave]

1. Riiiiiight. That's why they are doing this.

Cough:bullshit:cough

They are doing this to create a drone submarine as a launch platform but first they need a very detailed map of the ocean.

Imagine a sub that can go and sit for months on end, more then they do now, but not be hobbled by the need to support humans and fire a payload when called upon.