It is unknown when or how long the JARI USV was built. A mockup model of the JARI USV was first unveiled by China Shipbuilding and Offshore International Company (CSOC), the export arm of CSIC, at Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo (ADD) in September 2018. However, a CSOC representative stated that a working prototype had already been produced and started sea trials earlier in the same year.[2]
On August 21, 2019, CSIC launched the JARI USV at an undisclosed location, declaring it to have achieved initial combat capabilities. The announcement also revealed that the vessel was jointly developed by CSIC's research institutes No. 716 and No. 702. CSIC announced it would further test the JARI USV to achieve full autonomous capability.[3][4] In late December 2019, images of the drone undergoing sea trials began to circulate on Twitter.[5] The sea trial was later confirmed by Ordnance Industry Science Technology, a Chinese magazine that covers national defense technologies, in mid-January 2020.[6][7]
Design
The USV is 15 m in length, 4.8 m wide, 1.8 m in draft, and has a displacement of about 20 tons. It has a range of 500 nautical miles and can achieve a maximum speed of 42 knots. Its propulsion consists of a single pump-jet.[2] The hull is a trimaran design.[1]
The vessel has four fixed panels of active phased array radar (APAR) to give it a 360 degree radar coverage. Electro-optic systems are placed on top of the superstructure to look for its targets. Navigational radar and satellite link antenna aid the vessel in its operation in open water. The JARI USV can optionally be fitted with a sonar for anti-submarine warfare (ASW).[2]
The JARI USV is described as a multipurpose, "medium-sized" unmanned surface vehicle.[2] The drone possesses a modular design, allowing it to switch configurations and perform missions of a destroyer, such as air defense, anti-ship, and anti-submarine missions, but on a much smaller scale.[8] Because of its design, radar, and weaponry, it has been called a "mini Aegis-class destroyer".[3][4][9][10] While the drone can be operated remotely from land or a nearby mothership, it can also operate autonomously via an artificial intelligence. The JARI USV can operate alone or in a swarm once it's given its commands.[2][3][4] According to Ordnance Industry Science Technology, the drone is envisioned to be deployed from an aircraft carrier or amphibious assault ship to provide China's carrier battle group with additional reconnaissance and firepower.[6][7]
Chinese media have declared the JARI USV a "world-leading unmanned warship".[10]Navy Recognition, an online naval defense news, also noted the maturity of its technologies due to its short timeframe between its launch and combat readiness.[3] US think tank Brookings Institution believes the JARI USV is part of trend in China's advancement in weaponizing A.I. technology.[11] There is, however, skepticism over the capabilities and technologies of the JARI USV. SOFREP, a military news site, expressed doubt over the drones capabilities, noting that China has been known to declare weapon platforms "operational" before its development is finished and exaggerate its new technologies.[9] Bryan Clark, a US defense expert and former naval officer, stated the vessel's design is relatively ordinary and has yet to fully mature. He also stated the vessel lacks sufficient range for long range operations and would therefore be better suited patrolling closer to Chinese territories; i.e. islands in the South China Sea or ports.[10] Seth Cropsey, an expert at the Hudson Institute, stated that while the JARI USV is start for China's USV programs, it still lags behind USV programs of the US Navy.[10]
