China completed a key step in launching into water a cutting-edge, high-speed submersible unmanned surface vessel, the "Blue Whale," in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, on Monday.
The launch marks a significant breakthrough in China's marine technology and indicates a major step forward in the development of intelligent ocean equipment.
With its scheduled operational debut in 2026, the vessel boasts versatility that enables rapid response to emergencies and efficient application in meteorology, underwater mapping, photography, water sampling, and infrastructure inspections like submarine cable maintenance.
The "Blue Whale" vessel is developed to operate both above and below water. It can reach surface speeds of 36 knots, dive to avoid extreme weather such as typhoons and remain submerged in static suspension for over a month, according to Zhuhai Yunzhou, one of the co-developers.
Construction of the vessel's engineering model started in June 2024, and the process involved pressure-resistant welding, hull assembly, and equipment installation.
The final phases will include internal debugging, mooring trials, and further sea tests before completion.
China launches cutting-edge high-speed submersible unmanned vessel
China launches cutting-edge high-speed submersible unmanned vessel
China launches cutting-edge high-speed submersible unmanned vessel
