The US Navy has launched a fleet of autonomous vessels, known as Lightfish, off the coast of San Diego to monitor Chinese ghost ships. Developed by the startup Seasats, these 12-foot skiffs are designed for intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance without the need for human operators. They can operate far from shore, listening for underwater acoustic messages and relaying information back to operators via satellites. The vessels have already demonstrated their capability by tracking multiple Chinese warships within Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone, capturing images that confirm their type and origin. Seasats has garnered significant financial backing, with $40 million from investors and $100 million in defense contracts. The company emphasizes the importance of these vessels in providing covert reconnaissance, especially in areas where shore-based radar systems are ineffective. As tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific region, Seasats is actively engaging with Taiwan and allied forces to enhance maritime domain awareness. Additionally, the startup plans to open a new 61,000-square-foot headquarters in San Diego, which will accommodate 70 employees across two buildings.