(USNewsMag.com) – As it prepares for an invasion by China, Taiwan has unveiled an unmanned kamikaze boat that is bigger than the drones being used successfully by Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
According to Taiwan’s media, the 20-ton unmanned surface vessel, or USV, is 55 feet long and 12 feet wide, with a top speed of more than 55 mph. The advanced computer systems on the boat allow it to “navigate autonomously,” without communication equipment or GPS. Photographs from its unveiling on June 2 show that the vessel is low, streamlined, and black with bright orange stripes.
Ukraine has used its smaller Magura sea drones, which are about 18 feet long, to successfully damage Russian warships, causing them to retreat.
Taiwanese officials have not said if this design will go into mass production or stay experimental as Taiwan readies itself to stop a Chinese invasion or blockade.
Reports of the new board come as Taiwan has run into issues in its attempt at developing an unmanned drone similar to the $30 million U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone. Since its unmanned aircraft has not yet passed a combat readiness test, Taiwan has ordered more of the maritime versions of the Reaper, the American-made MQ-9B SeaGuardians.
If China begins moving its invasion fleet toward Taiwan, the chief of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. Samuel Paparo, has previously stated that the “unmanned submarines, unmanned surface ships and aerial drones” would be deployed by the U.S. military to allow Taiwan, the U.S., and other allies time to respond.
Tensions between China and Taiwan have increased over the past year. In September, 103 Chinese warplanes were sent toward Taiwan during a 24-hour period, an increase from the small number of Chinese warplanes that fly daily toward Taiwan, according to Taiwan’s Defense Ministry. In another escalation, China’s military surrounded Taiwan to practice war games and attack drills in May.
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