JARI-USV multi-purpose unmanned combat ship being launched
Recently, Chinese media reported that JARI-USV multi-purpose unmanned combat ship jointly constructed by CSSC 716 Research Institute and 702 Research Institute conducted its first sea trial, marking that China has been taken a critical step in the field of human combat boats.
Overall performance
According to “Ordnance Industry Science Technology”, JARI-USV multi-purpose unmanned combat surface vessel is about 15 meters long, 4.8 meters wide, 1.8 meters draught, and a displacement of about 20 tons. The overall design of JARI-USV multi-purpose unmanned combat ship is concise and smooth. From the perspective of the hull design, the high-speed performance is prominent. The equipment on the ship is very concise as a whole. The ship has a 30 mm automatic artillery in the front; the vertical launch unit is next; behind is the bridge, which has optoelectronic equipment and simple antennas for observation; the stern has a large satellite communication antenna, which has a distinctive stealth appearance.
In terms of maneuverability, due to the outstanding high-speed performance, the maximum speed of JARI-USV unmanned combat ship is 42 knots and the range is 500 nautical miles, which has good maneuverability. In addition, JARI-USV unmanned combat ship has a small volume, and can be carried by amphibious ships such as dock landing ships to the target area to perform long-distance missions, further enhancing its mobile combat capabilities.
In terms of combat capabilities, JARI-USV unmanned combat ship attaches great importance to multi-purpose capabilities, adopts a modular design, can carry air defense, sea-facing, anti-submarine and other mission loads, has flexible reorganization capabilities for combat missions, and can launch missiles and torpedoes, it can perform all-round tasks such as anti-submarine operations, air-to-air operations, and sea-to-sea operations. It is reported that the bridge of JARI-USV unmanned combat boats is equipped with observation optoelectronic equipment and simple antennas, and its stern is equipped with large satellite communication antennas, which facilitates the continuous and effective remote control by operators. In addition, the boat is also equipped with phased array radar and suspended sonar for air defense and antisubmarine. The boat supports autonomous, semi-autonomous and remote control modes.
JARI-USV unmanned combat craft attaches great importance to multi-purpose capabilities, it can carry air defense, sea-to-sea, anti-submarine mission loads, and has flexible reorganization capabilities for combat missions
In terms of weapons and equipment, JARI-USV unmanned combat ship has one 4-launcher vertical launch unit on each side of the left and right sides, capable of carrying 8 anti-ship missiles or anti-aircraft missiles; one single-tube torpedo launcher on each side of the left and right sides, which can carry 2 torpedoes. In addition, the bow has a 30mm automatic artillery.
JARI-USV can not only conduct missile strikes and artillery fire protection for ships and air fighters on the sea, but also launch torpedoes to attack surface ships and underwater submarines to form a three-dimensional attack system in the air, water and underwater.
In addition, due to the modular design, JARI-USV unmanned combat ship has high reliability, convenient maintenance, and low cost.
Future applications
According to analysis, in the future, China can use JARI-USV unmanned combat boats to perform maritime tasks, such as anti-submarine, anti-ship, and search for targets. This can reduce casualties and improve operational efficiency; if necessary, it can even be carried by aircraft carriers or amphibious assault ships, dock landing ships, and they can be dropped into the ocean area for ocean operations. Once the technology is mature, a cluster formation can also be formed to launch a “group of wolves” against large enemy surface ships such as aircraft carriers and submarines, posing an effective threat.
JARI-USV unmanned combat craft is of great practical significance for the future development of China’s navy and the diversification of combat modes
In addition to JARI-USV multi-purpose unmanned combat boat, at the Zhuhai Air Show in 2018, China also exhibited the “Watcher II” integrated missile unmanned boat for the first time, which can undertake enemy reconnaissance and precision strike missions. It can be used for patrolling and guarding on marine islands, reefs, and border areas. It can perform precise strikes on small and medium-sized targets at sea. It can also cooperate with amphibious forces to carry out accurate strikes on near-shore mobile and fixed targets, and it can also perform large-scale target group disability strikes.
In contrast, JARI-USV unmanned combat ship is more versatile, more powerful, and more in line with future maritime combat trends.
