The U.S. Navy's Belated Robot Revolution

It was an ignominious start for a potentially profound technological revolution. On June 21, 2011, a U.S. Navy MQ-8 Fire Scout robotic reconnaissance helicopter was shot down near Tripoli by forces loyal to then-Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi. The 24-foot-long, gray-painted drone was one of two launched from the frigate USS Halyburton and remotely controlled by operators aboard the vessel. Carrying classified sensors, the Fire Scouts likely helped detect targets for NATO forces flying top cover for Libyan rebels.

The Fire Scouts' Libyan missions represent the major combat debut for the U.S. Navy's growing arsenal of unmanned vehicles. In coming years, the world's biggest maritime force could add hundreds of flying, swimming and diving robots to its existing fleets of surface warships, submarines and manned aircraft. The new unmanned systems promise to greatly expand the Navy's ability to locate and attack enemy forces. ...