Exclusive: China Develops New Unmanned Submarine to Increase Covert Naval Warfare.

At the Zhuhai Air Show, the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) introduced a new innovation in underwater warfare: the Small Special Operations Unmanned Submarine. This unmanned platform is designed to carry out a wide range of covert operations, including reconnaissance, mine-laying, stealthy delivery, and even strikes.
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A model of the Small Special Operations Unmanned Submarine at Zhuhai Air Show 2024. (Picture source: lyman2003)

The Small Special Operations Unmanned Submarine adopts a modular design, allowing it to incorporate various mission-specific payloads. The submarine’s compartments are built to be adaptable, enabling it to carry different payloads, such as torpedoes, mines, small unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), and even equipment for special forces divers.

CSSC highlighted several technical advantages of the unmanned submarine. It can reach a maximum submerged speed of 20 knots, with a cruising speed of up to 8 knots, and can dive between 300 and 450 meters. With a range of up to 10,000 nautical miles at 6 knots, it’s capable of extended, covert operations. The platform also supports a continuous underwater operational range of 1,000 to 3,000 miles.

The submarine's enhanced maneuverability, coupled with its long-range capability, makes it highly effective in a range of underwater combat and surveillance tasks. It also has the capacity to carry four medium or large UUVs, which can further extend its combat radius and effectiveness in complex missions.

The unmanned submarine is designed to accommodate three distinct mission payload configurations. The Type A configuration focuses on warning and strike missions, carrying between 8 to 12 torpedoes or missiles, enabling it to launch attacks autonomously. In the Type B configuration, designed for special operations support, it can transport 6 to 8 divers along with their equipment, making it suitable for covert insertion and extraction missions. The Type C configuration is intended for delivery and blockade operations, capable of carrying 8 to 12 mines or small UUVs, or up to 4 larger UUVs, providing flexibility for mine-laying or surveillance missions.

For communication, the submarine is integrated with a comprehensive combat communication link, including shore-based, ship-based, and satellite (SATCOM) systems. These enable real-time communication with command centers, making the platform suitable for coordinated multi-unit operations. Additionally, it is equipped with a lithium iron phosphate battery system complemented by a 400 kW high-speed diesel generator, ensuring reliability and prolonged endurance during extended missions.

The submarine’s main dimensions range from 38 to 43 meters in length, with a beam of 4.8 meters and a draft of 5.6 meters. Its normal displacement ranges from 380 to 450 tons, depending on the configuration.

The introduction of CSSC's Small Special Operations Unmanned Submarine marks a significant shift in the capabilities available for underwater missions, particularly for navies looking to conduct stealth operations without risking personnel. This submarine’s ability to operate autonomously with various payloads—ranging from torpedoes and mines to UUVs and diver support equipment—enables it to perform targeted strikes, surveillance, and other high-stakes tasks covertly. Its long-range endurance and modular payload options allow it to act as a force multiplier, capable of performing several roles that would typically require a range of manned submarines or surface vessels.