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Remote command & control.

Drone submarine doesn’t require life support systems so it can be smaller, simpler, and stay submerged longer.

Only this isn’t a submarine, as it operates at surface and doesn’t dive. This is semi-submersible. When built right, it’s hard to detect from a boat.

I guess the goal of automation here is like it always is: remove the cost of human labor.

Search "Magura drone boat Ukraine"

It’s a space based data network, used for internet access.

Right I get that. Sorry my question wasn’t clear.

But you could theoretically build a drone that would guide itself to a destination with just GPS right? It would potentially be even easier with water?

Do you even need the two way command and control?

In theory, yes, in practice this probably requires engineering beyond what is available to these organizations (or the cost profile of the vessel.)

These aren't autonomous true submarines, they're semi-submersibles. Weather and surface conditions will vary (potentially greatly) along the route.