Our preliminary assessment points to the two black objects being XLUUVs (Extra-Large Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle). These are too small to be regular submarines, and too large to be swimmer delivery vehicles (SDVs).
The two submersibles are different sizes and appear to be significantly different designs. This suggest a competitive trial of different prototypes or demonstrators.
The first XLUUV is around 16 meters (52 feet) long and 2 meters (6.4 feet) across. It has a streamlined bow. At its tail, it appears to have two propellers (screws) in a side-by-side arrangement. This is interesting because it may indicate a link to the HSU-001 LDUUV.
(Large Displacement Unmanned Underwater Vehicle). The HSU-001 was
first shown in public in September 2019 and is believed to be in service with the PLAN, although few details have emerged since. The new vehicle is more than twice the size however.
The new submersible’s size is very similar to the U.S. Navy’s Orca XLUUV. Developed by Boeing, that system is seen as the first-mover in this space. However the first Orca was only christened in April, while it appears that the PLAN have had their prototypes in the water since 2021 or earlier.
The other XLUUV is outwardly simpler in form. It is much slimmer but also longer, around 18 meters (59 feet). This design is reminiscent of
Lockheed Martin’s contender for the U.S. Navy’s Orca XLUUV program.
www.navalnews.com
