What are the military applications of underwater robots?

This technology has immense military applications. Simply put, it allows robots to perform the dirty, arduous, and dangerous tasks that previously required humans to risk their lives or necessitated expensive, large equipment (like submarines). Consider the complex underwater environment: high pressure, no light. Human activity is limited in scope and time, but robots don't face these issues.

Key applications include:

1. Underwater Reconnaissance and Surveillance (Acting as a "Spy"): This is a core use. They can covertly infiltrate enemy ports, shipping lanes, or critical maritime areas, using onboard sonar, cameras, and other equipment to map the seabed, monitor enemy vessel and submarine movements, and reconnoiter underwater infrastructure (e.g., submarine cables, pipelines). This is much safer and more covert than deploying frogmen or large submarines, making them harder to detect.

2. Mine Countermeasures (Acting as a "Combat Engineer"): Naval mines are a nightmare for warships. Previously, mine clearance involved ships slowly sweeping with towed equipment or deploying brave divers, both highly dangerous. Now, underwater robots can be sent directly. They use high-precision sonar to locate mines hidden on the seabed. Once a target is confirmed, they can either relay the precise location back for specialized teams to handle, or carry a small explosive charge to detonate the mine underwater, completing the "mine clearance" mission. Throughout this process, personnel operate from a safe distance.

3. Anti-Submarine Warfare (Acting as a "Sentry"): Enemy submarines are elusive and hard to track. Now, a swarm of underwater robots can be deployed across vast maritime areas, forming an invisible "net." These robots act as underwater sentinels, silently lurking and listening for submarine noise using passive sonar. Once a robot detects a target, they can communicate with each other and cooperatively track it, relaying real-time information such as the submarine's position, heading, and speed back to the command center, guiding surface vessels or anti-submarine aircraft for attack.

4. Port and Critical Infrastructure Security (Acting as a "Security Guard"): Important locations like military ports, nuclear power plant water intakes, cross-sea bridge piers, and submarine optical cables need protection against enemy infiltration and sabotage from underwater. Underwater robots can conduct 24-hour uninterrupted patrols, checking for suspicious divers, swimmer delivery vehicles, or planted explosives. They serve as diligent and tireless underwater security guards.

5. Special Operations Support: Before special forces like Navy SEALs execute missions, a small underwater robot can be sent to scout ahead. For instance, before an amphibious landing, robots can reconnoiter the beach's underwater topography, obstacles, and defensive deployments, providing critical intelligence to follow-on forces, and even transporting necessary equipment for divers.

6. Underwater Operations and Maintenance: Warship hulls require regular inspection and cleaning. Previously, this required dry-docking or deploying divers. Now, underwater robots equipped with robotic arms can perform these tasks, such as inspecting the hull for damage, cleaning marine growth attached to the bottom (which affects speed and fuel consumption), and performing simple underwater repairs.

In summary, underwater robots serve as humanity's "substitute" and "extension" underwater, enabling militaries to perform various underwater missions more safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively.