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New Robots Hunt Pirates by Sea

Posted by samzenpus on from the long-john-silicon dept.

mattnyc99 writes "PopularMechanics.com takes a peek into the growing world of high-tech piracy on the open seas, which the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard are looking to cut off by investing in a new fleet of superfast, gun-mounted unmanned surface vessels (USVs). From the article: "The Interceptor is available now. But the USV market is just getting started: Two months ago, British defense firm Qinetiq debuted its own robotic vessel, the jetski-size Sentry. Among its potential duties is intruder investigation, which could include scouting out unidentified boats, along the lines of the raft that detonated alongside the USS Cole in Yemen, as well as offering a first look at a possible pirate-controlled vessel.""

10 of 207 comments (clear)

  1. Not piracy by loshwomp · · Score: 5, Funny

    Remember, it's not piracy, it's "unauthorized copying". Oh, wait...

    1. Re:Not piracy by loshwomp · · Score: 4, Funny

      It's not piracy, it's unauthorized crimes.

      Wait, the crimes are unauthorized? Are you trying to confuse me?

  2. Robot pirate hunters? by Guido+del+Confuso · · Score: 4, Funny

    All hail our robotic sea ninja overlords!

  3. Global Warming by Nefarious+Wheel · · Score: 4, Funny
    Arrr, to be sure, this be underwritten by His Noodley Spaghettiness himself. Robots. Pirates. All hail the touch of His Noodly Jetski!

    Ooh arrr, what be a Jetski anyway? Russian Hanna-Barbera futurist?

    --
    Do not mock my vision of impractical footwear
  4. Pirate Dread by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "We are the Dread Pirate Robots. There will be no survivors."

    If only we had a remotely-operated wheelbarrow... That would be something!

    1. Re:Pirate Dread by glittalogik · · Score: 4, Funny

      Can we have a mod for +6 You Just Took A Part Of My Childhood And Made It Awesome?

  5. apologies to spongebob by shineyboy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Who hunts down pirates on the high seas?
    ROBOT GUNBOATS!
    Dangerous and deadly and fatal they be!
    ROBOT GUNBOATS!
    If nautical mercy is something you wish,
    ROBOT GUNBOATS!
    Then put up your hands or sleep with the fish!
    ROBOT GUNBOATS!

  6. Is it bad if... by ls+-la · · Score: 4, Funny

    ... my first thought is, "The RIAA is going too far this time."

  7. The next step in evolution by glittalogik · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's time. The days of zombie PCs are numbered. The future is...

    Zombie robot pirates!

    Do you realise just how much more awesome the world is about to become?

  8. Re:Keep it a Secret by Cassius+Corodes · · Score: 5, Funny

    Excellent, my stocks in testosterone laced leather froo-froos are going to go thru the roof!

    --
    Control is an illusion, order our comforting lie. From chaos, through chaos, into chaos we fly