China has unveiled the ‘Blue Whale,’ a groundbreaking high-speed submersible unmanned surface vessel, marking a significant advancement in marine technology. Launched on Monday in Zhuhai, south China’s Guangdong Province, the vessel is poised to revolutionize ocean exploration and maritime operations.
Developed by Zhuhai Yunzhou and partners, the ‘Blue Whale’ is designed to operate both above and below water. It can reach impressive surface speeds of up to 36 knots and has the ability to dive to avoid extreme weather conditions like typhoons. Remarkably, it can remain submerged in static suspension for over a month.
Its versatility makes it invaluable for rapid emergency responses and various applications including meteorology, underwater mapping, photography, water sampling, and infrastructure inspections such as submarine cable maintenance.
Wu Guosong, the chief engineer of the project at Zhuhai Yunzhou, highlighted the vessel’s capabilities, stating that it can deploy meteorological rockets and sensors near typhoon epicenters to gather critical atmospheric and oceanic data.
Chen Dake, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, hailed the launch as a “milestone in China’s independent innovation in marine science,” emphasizing its significance in advancing ocean exploration and supporting national strategic objectives.
Construction of the engineering model began in June 2024, involving complex processes like pressure-resistant welding, hull assembly, and equipment installation. The final phases, including internal debugging, mooring trials, and further sea tests, are scheduled before the vessel’s anticipated operational debut in 2026.
