Robots replace costly US Navy mine-clearance dolphins

[Jazzy]

After more than 50 years of loyal service, the US Navy tells BBC Future it is ready to replace its pods of highly trained sea mammals with cheaper robots.



For decades, science fiction writers and futurologists have predicted a time when wars are fought at the push of a button and Terminator-like robo-soldiers fight in place of humans. While the rise of drone warfare suggests that vision may be starting to come true, it would seem that it will not be humans who are first in line to lose their military commission.



“We’re in a period of transition,” explains Captain Frank Linkous, head of the US Navy’s Mine Warfare Branch. After nearly 50 years, he says, the Navy now plans to end its Sea Mammal Program and retire its pods of dolphins and sea lions that are currently used to help locate - and in some cases destroy - sea mines.



“In general, we’re looking to phase out that program beginning in fiscal year 2017,” says Linkous.



Swimming into their place is a new generation of robotic mine hunters, he says. But, the shift comes at a critical time. Earlier this year, Iran threatened to mine the Strait of Hormuz, shutting down the critical waterway to commerce. That threat prompted a renewed debate over investment in mine warfare technology, which many naval experts feel has been long neglected.

Full article with dolphin pictures



How can robots be cheaper than dolphins?

 

[Evil Eye]

How can robots be cheaper than dolphins?

You don't have to feed them, you don't have to train them and you can afford to lose them. I image they also take less space.

 

[TommyTooter]

i'm glad to see it. the animals should never have been used in the first place.



maybe they'll take the next step and disarm the world and live in peace, but that's doubtful. if israel tries a ground assault, that war is going global.