This post is also available in:
עברית (Hebrew)
At the Zhuhai Airshow, China’s State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) revealed an innovative and versatile design for a large uncrewed diesel-electric drone submarine. This cutting-edge vessel, still in development, promises to be a game-changer for naval operations, capable of performing a wide range of missions, from attacking enemy ships to supporting special operations.
The drone submarine features a reconfigurable design, with several configurations for different missions. It can carry 8–12 torpedoes or torpedo-launched missiles (Type A), transport special operations divers and equipment (Type B), or deploy mines and uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) (Type C). With a length ranging from 38 to 43 meters and a displacement of 380–450 tons, the vessel is designed for both stealth and endurance.
The submarine can operate at depths of 300 to 450 meters, making it suitable for a variety of tactical scenarios. It has a streamlined body, featuring a low-profile dorsal hump rather than a traditional sail. Inside, it includes a torpedo tube, a central battery array, and mission-specific systems in the bow, with a collapsible mast for data transmission and communications. The submarine’s propulsion system uses a single unshrouded stern propeller, which may indicate a focus on operational simplicity over signature reduction.
CSSC’s drone submarine is capable of impressive ranges, with 3,000 nautical miles underwater and 10,000 nautical miles on the surface at a steady pace of 6 knots, according to Interesting Engineering. This long-endurance capability allows the vessel to carry out extended missions, such as maintaining underwater picket lines or supporting fleet operations in coastal waters or open seas. It can reach a maximum speed of 20 knots, making it fast enough to evade threats if necessary.
While details about the autonomy of the submarine remain unclear, it is expected to be operated remotely through satellite communications or underwater acoustic links. The concept of an autonomous drone submarine could offer significant advantages in naval warfare, providing a low-cost, highly versatile platform for various strategic operations.
This ambitious design, which appears to be a refinement of a prototype spotted in 2017, could play a critical role in enhancing China’s naval capabilities, particularly in sensitive regions like the Taiwan Strait, where it may be used for blockade or reconnaissance operations. As development progresses, this drone submarine could represent a major leap in the future of unmanned maritime warfare.
