DDS Research's UCV project has an interesting off-shoot which could be coming to manned DDS warships soon, an "Emergency Get Home Mode". This automated system would kick in if a ship's bridge crew was incapacitated and would take over operation of the ship and aim to get the ship out of a hazardous situation and into safety.
The system, which has not been named officially yet, is understood to have been trialed in a Panther 35A destroyer over the last few months and may be fitted to new Panthers and other ships this year prior to a general roll out to the fleet during upgrades. How the system works is being kept a secret by the DDS but there is speculation that the life signs of bridge crew are monitored by the system and if those life signs fade (because of death or unconsciousness) then the system will take over.
Some officers have said that they fear the mode kicking in too early during a battle which could put the ship at greater risk but DDS Research say they do not think this can happen.
