Chinese USV Development Thread

[totenchan]

What is that at the back ramp? VDS? Mine hunting sonar?

Sort of looks like a towed sonar but its hard to tell

 

[Totoro]

There are also mine hunting sonars that look just like that from behind, so I'd say it's too early to be sure. Both use cases would be of tremendous utility to PLAN. For the mine hunting sonar, imagine landing a force on a defended landmass but not having unmanned assets to help you clear prolific sea minefields that are probably gonna get in the way.

 

[lcloo]

We have seen photo of PLAN mine sweeper leading 2 or 3 smaller unmanned boats for mine cleanrance exercise. This could be a much improved new mine sweeper drone.

Check out PLAN Minesweeper #804, controlling unmanned boats 8041, 8042 and 8043.

 

[amchan]

There are also mine hunting sonars that look just like that from behind, so I'd say it's too early to be sure. Both use cases would be of tremendous utility to PLAN. For the mine hunting sonar, imagine landing a force on a defended landmass but not having unmanned assets to help you clear prolific sea minefields that are probably gonna get in the way.

If that USV is made from ferrous materials it might be pretty suboptimal as a minesweeper. Most minesweepers are made from wood or fibreglass.