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Stephen Chen

China’s unmanned submersibles now rank as the world’s largest, with last year’s military parade showcasing two models (HSU001 and AJX002) approaching 20 metres (66 feet) in length.
Satellite imagery analysed by Western media also revealed a classified variant exceeding 40 metres at a naval installation, triggering international concern – particularly in the United States.
These dimensions created a brand new class of drones known as extra-extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicles (XXLUUVs). They dwarf America’s largest unmanned underwater vehicle, the 15-metre “Orca”.
US defence experts responded to the developments with stark warnings about vulnerabilities along America’s West Coast, with some analysts designating Seattle, Oakland, Los Angeles and the Panama Canal as potential targets.
Yan Zheping, China’s leading submersible authority and director of unmanned systems at Harbin Engineering University’s College of Intelligent Systems Science and Engineering, addressed these concerns in peer-reviewed research published last month.
China’s ultra large models “prioritise regional security and near-coast defensive reconnaissance while simultaneously supporting civilian research and environmental monitoring”, Yan wrote in his paper for the Chinese Journal of Ship Research, clarifying the vessels’ strategic purpose to the public for the first time.
This indicates these deep-sea giants would mainly counter US military operations in potential Taiwan Strait or South China Sea contingencies, instead of conducting trans-Pacific strikes.


In his paper, Yan also said that China’s next-generation mega-drones would incorporate miniature nuclear reactors for ultra-long endurance, alongside quantum and neutrino communications enabling undetectable data transfer.
These craft will feature powerful embedded artificial intelligence for fully autonomous decision-making and multi-spectrum sensors – including acoustic, optical and electromagnetic detection systems – complemented by advanced navigation technology such as gravity-field matching and atomic gyroscopes.
According to Yan, intelligent materials like soft robotics and composites will enable cost-effective mass production while improving operational performance.
Yan also stressed that just like other nations, China faced immense challenges and risks in developing these colossal underwater drones and the race had only just begun.
“Creating high-speed, large UUVs capable of months-long autonomous operations demands integrating extreme-reliability engineering, cutting-edge energy systems and intelligent control while managing substantial fiscal risks,” Yan wrote.
“This represents not merely technical ambition, but a nation’s strategic resolve and industrial capacity.”


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China

Huge size of China’s unmanned submersibles has US defence experts worried Beijing may attack vulnerable targets including LA and Seattle


Huge size of China’s unmanned submersibles has US defence experts worried Beijing may attack vulnerable targets including LA and Seattle.


United States

China not targeting US West Coast with ultra-large underwater drones: lead scientist

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Huge size of China’s unmanned submersibles has US defence experts worried Beijing may attack vulnerable targets including LA and Seattle

Huge size of China’s unmanned submersibles has US defence experts worried Beijing may attack vulnerable targets including LA and Seattle