In a major leap for marine technology, the Chinese mainland has launched 'Blue Whale', a high-speed unmanned surface vessel capable of diving and exploring the deep sea. The debut on Monday in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, marks a new era in intelligent ocean equipment.
Co-developed by Zhuhai Yunzhou, 'Blue Whale' can reach surface speeds up to 36 knots, evade extreme weather by diving, and stay submerged in static suspension for more than a month. Its dual-mode design allows rapid response in tasks ranging from meteorology to underwater mapping.
Key features include:
- 36-knot surface speed for swift deployment
- Submersion to avoid typhoons and rough seas
- Over 30 days of underwater endurance in static suspension
- Modular payloads for photography, water sampling, and infrastructure inspection
Wu Guosong, chief engineer at Zhuhai Yunzhou, highlights the vessel's ability to launch meteorological rockets and deploy sensors near typhoon centers, gathering critical data on atmospheric and oceanic conditions.
Chen Dake, academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, calls the launch a milestone in the mainland's independent innovation in marine science, noting its potential to drive ocean exploration and support strategic research goals.
Construction of the engineering model began in June 2024, involving pressure-resistant welding, hull assembly, and system integration. Final internal debugging, mooring trials, and sea tests aim for completion ahead of its operational debut in 2026.
As 'Blue Whale' prepares to dive deeper into our planet's last frontier, the vessel signals the rising tide of ocean tech innovation on the Chinese mainland.
Reference(s):
China launches pioneering high-speed submersible unmanned vessel
cgtn.com
