Zhuhai (TDI): At Airshow China 2024, China introduced impressive naval and maritime equipment alongside its aviation and land displays, including the Orca—a large, stealth-capable unmanned vessel—and a surface drone group demonstrating coordinated water-based operations.
The Orca, officially named the JARI-USV-A, made its debut in the exhibition’s second area.
This stealth combat vessel features a trimaran design that enhances speed, stability, and deck space within its compact displacement.
Specifications released by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation indicate that the vessel is 58 meters long, with a beam width of 23 meters, a depth of 4 meters, and a full displacement of 420 tons.
It can reach speeds of up to 40 knots and has a range of 4,000 nautical miles.
Prioritizing stealth, the Orca is equipped with a remote-controlled weapon station and a four-unit vertical missile launch system that can expand to 12 units, supporting flexible defense capabilities.
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Phased array radars enhance its detection capacity for air and sea targets, and a stern flight deck accommodates unmanned helicopters for missions such as anti-submarine warfare and patrols.
In addition, Yunzhou Tech displayed a surface drone formation at the show, featuring four unmanned boats with high maneuverability.
During a live demonstration, the drones showcased formation shifts and tactical capabilities, including intercepting fast-moving targets and attacking floating objects.
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Yunzhou Tech revealed that these drones are mass-produced and primarily designed for marine police and maritime safety operations, with advanced capabilities to adjust to wind, wave, and current conditions to complete missions jointly.
These developments underscore China’s progress in unmanned and collaborative naval technology, highlighting their expanding maritime capabilities.
