DARPA testing autonomous sea-vessel
DARPA has been running sea trials for a new radar system on an autonomous sea-vessel named the Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel, hoping to develop a successful drone vessel capable of patrolling hostile waters. The radar system is attached to the vessel with a parasail, reaching heights between 500 and 1,500 feet. The higher altitude makes the radar more effective than when it is affixed to a ship’s mast.

California may be the home of Google’s robotic cars, but just off the coast, DARPA is testing technology that puts the search giant’s trundling little autonomous marshmallows to shame.

The defense agency’s robotic ship—the Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel, to those in the know—has been running sea trials on its new radar system. But the technology doesn’t sit aboard the ship: instead, it’s slung behind it on a parasail in order to reach heights of between 500 and 1,500 feet.