Navy seeks underwater drone to prowl high seas

The Navy is seeking prototypes of a robot that can stay at sea for long periods to help boost maritime awareness around the globe, reports Adam Rawnsley at Wired's Danger Room blog.

The Large Displacement Unmanned Underwater Vehicle program issued a call for proposals July 27 from which it hopes to eventually get a drone with sensors that can stay at sea for months at a time.

Outgoing Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead told the blog last November that he wants an unmanned underwater drone that can move in strong ocean currents and close distances quickly.