Marine Corps tests new robot boat to hunt underwater mines

U.S. Marine Corps explosive-ordnance teams tested a new uncrewed surface vessel at Camp Pendleton in late August for missions involving underwater mines and other explosive hazards. The robotic boat is intended to carry sensors or tools into dangerous littoral areas, allowing operators to search from a safer distance and reducing exposure before divers or crewed craft enter the water. The event was an evaluation rather than proof of fleet-wide fielding, and the service will need to assess reliability, control links, payload performance, and integration with existing mine-countermeasure procedures before operational adoption.