US Navy’s huge uncrewed robot ship has journeyed through Panama Canal

By David Hambling

Austal USA

A robotic cargo vessel has passed through the Panama Canal for the first time. The ship, an Overlord uncrewed surface vessel belonging to the US Navy, made a 4700-nautical-mile (8700-kilometre) journey including passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific almost entirely without human assistance.

Pentagon spokesperson Josh Frey says the vessel was in autonomous mode for more than 97 per cent of the trip’s length. A remote crew assisted when needed.

The US Navy has two of the 59-metre Overlord vessels, modified from crewed fast transport ships. They are catamarans …