Atlanta ( CNN ) Silently moving deep beneath the ocean 's surface , combat submarines can employ the element of surprise to carry out devastating attacks on naval fleets and land targets . For decades , the U.S. military has maintained its dominance in the depths of the world 's oceans by boasting the most technologically advanced submarine fleet . However , officials say China and other nations are rapidly expanding the size and scope of their own submarine forces . And , according to a report by the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments , the U.S. must rethink the role of manned submarines and prioritize new underwater detection techniques . `` We know they are out experimenting and looking at operating , and clearly want to be in this world of advanced submarines , '' Vice Adm. Joseph Mulloy told the House Armed Services Committee 's sea power subcommittee in February . Mulloy , who is deputy chief of naval operations for capabilities and resources , says Chinese submarines are still technologically inferior to those used by the United States , but that margin of difference is shrinking . Concern that China could match U.S. underwater capabilities in the near future has encouraged the development of an unmanned drone ship to independently track enemy ultra-quiet diesel electric submarines over thousands of miles to limit their tactical capacity for surprise . Initiated by a Pentagon research group called the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency ( DARPA ) , the Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Vessel ( ACTUV ) would be able to operate under with little supervisory control but also as remotely controlled or piloted vessels , depending on the circumstances of specific missions . `` We 're looking for test-ready , multi-sensor approaches that push the boundaries of today 's automated sensing systems for unmanned surface vessels , '' said Scott Littlefield , DARPA program manager . `` Enhancing the ability of these kinds of vessels to sense their environment in all weather and traffic conditions , day or night , would significantly advance our ability to conduct a range of military missions . '' DARPA says the so-called drone ships will be 132 feet long and likely cost about $ 20 million , significantly less than the billion-dollar manned warships currently in use . The development of the ACTUV aligns with the `` culture change '' described by Navy Secretary Ray Mabus Tuesday at the Navy League 's Sea Air Space symposium at National Harbor , Maryland . `` Unmanned systems , particularly autonomous ones , have to be the new normal in ever-increasing areas , '' Maybus said . Maybus said new staff will be put into place to help streamline , coordinate and champion unmanned systems in `` all domains . '' An ACTUV prototype vessel is already in production and , if testing is successful , the Navy could move to the next phase of development by 2018 .
U.S. navy is developing an unmanned missile ship to intercept enemy submarines to limit their tactical capacity for surprise . The vessel would be able to operate under with little supervisory control . Advances are necessary to maintain technological superiority on Russia and submarines , admiral tells House ##worth .