[beagle90]

This was my initial thought. Then I realised whatever sensors are on-board these things would likely detect incoming pirate attacks (of the physical kind) from miles away (think satellites). At which point nearby naval forces would be alerted.

Hell, you could go a step further and equip each one with it's own drone to defend itself in case of attack.

[TeMPOraL]

> these things would likely detect incoming pirate attacks (of the physical kind) from miles away (think satellites). At which point nearby naval forces would be alerted.

If it were so, wouldn't such systems be already installed on manned boats? There's nothing here that is tied to the boat's capability of self-steering.

[washedup]

I wouldn't be surprised if that's the goal!