A biomimetic submersible developed by the Northwestern Polytechnical University of China conducts tests in the South China Sea throughout 2024. Photo: Screenshot from China Central Television

 

A series of biomimetic submersibles independently developed by China have started practical deployment in the South China Sea, with larger variants for armed reconnaissance missions under development, media reported.

Developed by a team at the Northwestern Polytechnical University of China with complete intellectual property rights, the soft-bodied submersibles imitate the manta ray, or devil fish, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Sunday.

Six variants in the series ranging from an operating weight of 10 kilograms to 720 kilograms have been built since 2006, CCTV reported.

Videos show that the submersible swim naturally just like a manta ray.

The development team observed how real manta rays swim and studied dissected specimens to analyze how the biomimetic submersible can swim faster and more efficient, said Lu Yang, a researcher from the team.

A current version of the submersible is equipped with optical cameras, sonar systems, a position system and the BeiDou Satellite Navigation System, with new payloads to be added on in the future, CCTV reported.

In 2023, a 460-kilogram prototype passed a 1,025-meter depth test in the South China Sea, with multiple variants of biomimetic manta ray submersibles having finished 60-day underwater glides, marking the start of practical deployment, the report said.

Practical applications of the smaller variants of the submersible include marine science and education, marine ranching, and marine environment monitoring, including the monitoring of coral growth in the South China Sea, while the larger variants with longer endurance and deeper depth can conduct data collection missions in the vast ocean, according to the CCTV report.

The biomimetic submersibles are scheduled to be able to form swarms in as early as 2025, with Hao Yiwei, another developer in the team, saying in the report that while a single submersible has limited payload and endurance, a swarm can sail farther with more payloads.

Cao Yong, a professor at the university, said in the report that the team will carry out deep-sea applications for an 800-kilogram-class variant.

"In the future, ton-class prototypes will be developed, enabling the carrying of heavier payloads and sailing to farther distances. This will allow reconnaissance with higher efficiency, and eventually reach armed reconnaissance capabilities," Cao said.

The US is also developing similar technologies, with the Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Products Agency (DARPA) having tested a submersible developed by Northrop Grumman literally called "Manta Ray" earlier this year, CNN reported in May.

These submersibles are in essence underwater drones with multiple applications, a Beijing-based military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Monday.

By imitating how manta rays swim, the biomimetic submersibles likely have higher endurance, longer range and better acoustic stealth than submarines and traditionally shaped underwater unmanned vehicles, giving them potential applications in underwater reconnaissance, anti-submarine and anti-ship tasks, the expert said.