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Breaking News | Taiwan’s first unmanned surface vessel Endeavor Manta adopts Ukrainian tactics to strike the Chinese Navy.
As reported by YDN News on March 25, 2025, CSBC Corporation publicly revealed Taiwan's first domestically developed military unmanned surface vessel, named “Endeavor Manta,” or “Manta” for short, during a launch event held at Xingda Port in Kaohsiung. The presentation included a dynamic sea demonstration of the vessel’s maneuvering capabilities and was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Navy, and various members of the domestic shipbuilding industry and academia.
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The development of the Endeavor Manta was inspired by Ukraine’s use of unmanned surface vessels to target Russian naval ships during the Russia-Ukraine war, demonstrating the effectiveness of “using small to fight big.” (Picture source: Twitter/YDN News)
According to Chairman Huang Cheng-hung, this vessel was specifically designed for operations in the Taiwan Strait and embodies the principles of asymmetric warfare. The development was inspired by Ukraine’s use of unmanned surface vessels to target Russian naval ships during the Russia-Ukraine war, demonstrating the effectiveness of “using small to fight big.” For instance, Ukrainian USVs attacked and sank the Russian Project 775 landing ship Caesar Kunikov off the coast of Alupka on 14 February 2024, as well as the Sergey Kotov, a Project 22160 patrol ship, in the Black Sea on March 5, 2024.
This approach demonstrated how relatively inexpensive and agile unmanned platforms could successfully challenge more substantial naval assets. By integrating these lessons, Taiwan aims to enhance its maritime defense capabilities within the challenging environment of the Taiwan Strait, utilizing the Endeavor Manta to deter and, if necessary, counter larger adversarial naval forces through innovative and cost-effective means. In recent years, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has increased its presence through extensive exercises. In May 2024, China conducted drills involving 111 aircraft and 46 naval vessels, including Type 052D destroyers, which are among the PLAN's advanced surface combatants and now represent potential targets for Taiwan's USVs like the Endeavor Manta.
The Endeavor Manta measures 8.6 meters in length, 3.7 meters in width, and has a full-load displacement of over 5 tons. Powered by two outboard engines, it is capable of reaching a maximum speed of more than 35 knots. The vessel adopts a trimaran hull design, significantly enhancing its seaworthiness and navigability in the challenging sea states typical of the Taiwan Strait, which may reach sea state 5 to 7. Constructed from fiber-reinforced plastic, the USV features a minimalist, stealthy shape with a futuristic appearance. The name “Manta” was chosen due to its design resemblance to the pectoral fins of a manta ray and the animal’s natural characteristics of camouflage and sudden attack, aligning with the vessel’s stealth profile and strike role.
The Manta is designed to carry over 1 ton of payload and can be armed with light torpedoes and high-explosive warheads. In military applications, one configuration involves using light torpedoes on the sides for the initial attack, followed by a direct collision using explosives mounted in the bow to maximize damage. Deployment flexibility is a core feature; the USV can be launched from any port in Taiwan or transported via commercial pickups and tow trucks to coastal areas and beaches for immediate deployment. This ability to deploy from various locations enhances survivability and supports rapid responses in littoral combat scenarios.
CSBC Corporation emphasized that the vessel’s communication system can switch among 4G, radio frequency, and satellite control modes. It supports swarm operation control, autonomous navigation with collision avoidance, AI-based target identification, and an anti-hijack self-destruction system. In the event of signal disruption or jamming, the Manta is capable of autonomous return-to-base navigation. The system architecture was fully integrated by the company's subsidiary, CSBC Corporation Power Technology, enabling future customization and upgrades. One single control station can manage up to 50 Mantas simultaneously, and the platform can also integrate with drones and satellite-based 3D targeting systems to execute coordinated missions. For example, Taiwan's Yushan-class landing platform dock can carry more than 20 of these USVs in a single operation.
One single control station can manage up to 50 Mantas simultaneously, and the platform can also integrate with drones and satellite-based 3D targeting systems to execute coordinated missions. (Picture source: Twitter/YDN News)
Chairman Huang emphasized that all materials used in the Manta have excluded the “red supply chain,” meaning no components of Chinese origin were used. Aside from the imported satellite guidance system and outboard engines, all other systems and components were manufactured domestically or sourced from local suppliers using commercial-grade parts. He noted that removing the satellite guidance system could reduce costs by approximately 45 percent. While the vessel is available in basic, advanced, and military configurations and can be customized for civilian and scientific purposes, the company did not disclose specific pricing, stating that cost varies depending on user-defined equipment and mission profiles.
The development of the Manta began in early 2024, with the aim of integrating shipbuilding expertise and autonomous control technology. The unmanned surface vessel team was formed through collaboration between CSBC Corporation, its subsidiary, and other local industrial partners. Key design goals focused on mobility and resistance to rough sea conditions, both critical for the Taiwan Strait. The concept was developed around fast deployment, deterrent strikes, and platform survivability, with control software and system source codes developed entirely in-house, distinguishing the project from other domestic USVs made public to date.
During the launch event, the Manta performed high-speed maneuvers including straight-line acceleration, Z-pattern turns, figure-eight loops, double-circles, signal switching, and autonomous return-to-base demonstrations. The vessel exhibited a top demonstration speed of 30 knots and demonstrated the ability to rapidly change direction to evade threats. In scenarios where communication is jammed, the Manta retains its ability to autonomously return to base, increasing operational resilience.
CSBC Corporation confirmed that it will not participate in the upcoming unmanned surface vessel competition hosted by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology in June, citing misaligned development timelines. Despite this, the company stated that the Manta is a multi-purpose platform with broad application potential beyond military roles, including offshore wind farm security, port surveillance, rescue missions, and emergency response. Chairman Huang described the vessel as an innovative convergence of naval engineering and autonomous control systems designed to support Taiwan's defense in the Taiwan Strait, while also serving a wide range of non-combat applications when customized accordingly.