Unmanned systems: An emerging threat to waterside security: Bad robots are coming

Abstract

Unmanned Vehicles (UxVs) are now a key Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) resource for first-world defense organizations. But the barrier to entry for making unmanned systems has fallen, with terrorist groups and crime syndicates capable of creating sophisticated robots using Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components. With the explosive growth of unmanned systems in the air, on the water, and underwater, the threat from misuse of these technologies increases. Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) for ports, harbors, and protection of cruise ship and military marine assets has largely focused on threats above the waterline from more conventional threats like suicide boaters, or unauthorized entry. MDA at and below the waterline presents severe but not insurmountable challenges. Effective risk mitigation from UxVs involves a probabilistic approach to disruptive scenarios that reverse-engineers the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) likely to be used, based on the capabilities of rogue UxVs, and the skill level of their operators. Consideration of océanographie and meteorological data available to the public in real-time or near real-time from observing systems is part of the risk prediction. Technical countermeasures that exploit rogue UxV weaknesses, and training of personnel involved in MDA, are logical components to close the gap. Our group is developing approaches to reduce risks of successful UxV attack, and crafting appropriate responses to an unmanned systems disruption. We also are developing new tools and training measures that will be of use to waterside security personnel.