China has launched the world’s first high-speed uncrewed submersible, a vessel that can operate underwater for 30 days, withstand extreme weather, and launch research rockets, marking a major advance in the country’s maritime technology.
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The “Blue Whale”, which measures 11 metres (36 feet) long and weighs 12 tonnes, and combines the functions of both a high-speed surface craft and an underwater vessel, was launched in Zhuhai on Monday.
It can reach surface speeds of up to 36 knots – similar to a destroyer or a US Navy torpedo – and can sail hundreds of kilometres before rapidly diving up to 60 metres underwater to avoid storms, according to state news agency Xinhua. While submerged, it can remain static for more than a month, like the stealth capabilities of a nuclear submarine.
Chen Dake, the project’s lead scientist from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said the launch was a milestone in China’s independent marine technological innovation, providing a vital strategic tool for marine exploration, Xinhua reported on Monday.
Currently designated for civilian use, the Blue Whale is expected to make significant contributions to typhoon research.
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Wu Guosong, chief engineer of the submersible uncrewed vessel project at the Zhuhai-based tech firm Yunzhou, told Xinhua that the vessel’s AI decision-making system uses deep learning algorithms, tripling operational efficiency in complex ocean environments when compared to manual controls.