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U.S. Navy tests robotic at-sea refueling for unmanned vessels to extend missions and reduce crew risk in high-threat waters
The U.S. Navy demonstrated a robotic system that can capture, refuel and release an unmanned surface vessel at sea without placing personnel on the receiving craft. During the August 11 test off Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, USNS Vindicator towed Sealartec's connection device and transferred 400 gallons of fuel to the Navy-owned T38 vessel. The team completed dozens of at-sea evolutions and about 100 connection cycles over several days, after moving from concept to water testing in seven months. The event was a technology demonstration intended to extend unmanned-vessel endurance, not an operational deployment.