During rehearsals for Beijing’s upcoming military parade, a previously unseen unmanned surface vessel drew attention, underscoring the increasing role of drone technology in China’s naval ambitions.
Photos and video shared online show the vessel being moved on a heavy-duty semi-trailer, offering a rare close-up view of its design. The craft appears to incorporate several stealth-oriented features, including sharply angled surfaces, a faceted hull, and a superstructure designed to minimize radar visibility.
Analysts suggest the appearance of this drone boat signals China’s continued investment in autonomous maritime capabilities, particularly in surveillance, patrol, and potentially combat roles.
New drone blends autonomous and manned operation
Analysts and online observers have highlighted the vessel’s likely stealth features, including concealed antennas and radar designed to reduce infrared, visual, and acoustic signatures. Painted in the Chinese navy’s white-grey-blue camouflage, the craft showed no visible hull number, adding to its discreet profile.
While it is unclear if radar-absorbent materials cover the hull, the angular, faceted design points to an emphasis on low observability. Notably, the vessel also includes cockpit windows, suggesting it could be operated by a crew in addition to autonomous functions, offering versatile deployment options for surveillance, patrol, or other naval operations.
A closer look at one widely shared online image shows the vessel dwarfing a four-lane road in Beijing, implying that it likely stretches more than 15 meters (49 feet) in length. Its size, combined with the angular, stealth-oriented design and cockpit windows, indicates that the craft could accommodate either sophisticated onboard equipment or a small crew.
Preparations for a massive military parade in the capital are in full swing as the country readies to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, celebrated as Victory Day. The third major rehearsal ran from 5 p.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. Sunday in Tiananmen Square, state news agency Xinhua reported.
Smaller uncrewed naval drone appears in China’s parade
The uncrewed surface vehicle featured in China’s official military parade indicates it has already entered active service. The vessel is significantly smaller than the “Killer Whale” a larger surface stealth drone that was unveiled at the Zhuhai Airshow last year, the South China Morning Post reported.
The “Killer Whale” is a 500-tonne trimaran built by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC). The vessel features a dual diesel-electric propulsion system, enabling it to reach speeds exceeding 40 knots (46 mph) and travel more than 4,000 nautical miles. CSSC markets the ship as a versatile combat platform capable of carrying rockets, anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles, and equipped with a rear helicopter take-off and landing pad.
Worldwide, navies, particularly those of the US and China, are rapidly advancing unmanned and autonomous vessel programs, driven by lessons from the Ukraine war. In Ukraine, compact, seatless drones that resemble speedboats have been used to deliver large explosive payloads, significantly impacting Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.
