China unveils futuristic warship with AI technology

Zhuhai (China) - China has unveiled a new warship. The futuristic trimaran has stealth characteristics, is more than 50 meters long and can apparently fire cruise missiles. The drone boat is designed to operate without a crew.

The autonomous drone boat is the pride and joy of the Chinese navy.
The autonomous drone boat is the pride and joy of the Chinese navy.  © Screenshot: Chinesisches Staatsfernsehen

There has been speculation about the robotic boat for some time. On Friday, China showed the unmanned warship "Orca" for the first time.

In the run-up to the country's most important air show, the "Zhuhai Air Show", the boat arrived at the exhibition venue in the Per River Delta to great public interest.

According to official information, the ship was designed and built entirely in China. The stealth boat is 58 meters long, has several vertical launch ramps for launching cruise missiles or other guided weapons, a 30 mm cannon and a landing pad for helicopter drones at the stern.

In contrast to conventional warships, the "killer whale" will be able to operate completely autonomously using AI technology - probably the most important feature for the Chinese navy. However, windows on the superstructure indicate that a crew can also board if necessary.

The "killer whale" was shown to the public for the first time at the "Zhuhai Air Show".
ContentImage.Description   © Stadtverwaltung Zhuhai
At the rear is a landing pad for drone helicopters, which were also on display at the arms fair.
ContentImage.Description   © Stadtverwaltung Zhuhai
Is this what the warships of the future will look like?
ContentImage.Description   © Screenshot: Chinesisches Staatsfernsehen

Drone trimaran to take over tasks of conventional destroyers

The drone trimaran is said to have an operational range of 1000 kilometers. Speeds of up to 42 knots (77 kilometers per hour) are said to be possible.

In the future, robo-ships like this one will operate in conjunction with conventional warships. Even if the Chinese prefer to talk about "search and rescue" missions, the ship could in future take on very similar tasks to conventional destroyers: Anti-submarine defense, protecting aircraft carriers, engaging sea and air targets, laying mines. The modular design makes it possible.

Meanwhile, Chinese war bloggers assume that the ship is far more than just a technology carrier. The fact that the "killer whale" was shown at the country's most important arms fair of all places would suggest that the ship is as good as operational and is to be exported abroad if possible.

Other countries, above all the USA, are developing similar concepts. Whether the "killer whale" can already do what China promises remains to be seen. Nonetheless, the ship on display provides a glimpse of the naval warfare of the future.