China Unveils Zhu Hai Yun Unmanned Ship For Carrying And Deploying Drones, Rumored To Have Military Capabilities

On May 20, 2022, a report was uploaded to the South China Morning Post YouTube channel about the completion of the construction of the Zhu Hai Yun, a first-of-its-kind unmanned ship designed to carry and deploy drones, unmanned boats, submersibles, and other vehicles. The report said that construction had begun in 2021, that the ship is slated to be delivered at the end of 2022 after completing sea trials, that it is 88.5 meters long and 14 meters wide, that it has a top speed of 18 knots, and that it is rumored to have military capabilities. Chen Drake, the Director of the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, said that the Zhu Hai Yun can carry over 50 different unmanned aerial and naval systems to achieve an "integrated ocean expedition." He also said that it is a beautiful new marine "species" that will be "revolutionary" in the field of ocean observation. Li Xiaorui, the Zhu Hai Yun's construction manager, said that the ship is equipped with facilities for deployment and coordinated control and security of several unmanned systems.

Onscreen text: "This unmanned ship can carry dozens of drones, unmanned ships and submersibles. China launched the world's first remote-controlled drone carrier on May 18."

Chen Dake: "Behind me is the world's first smart ship with the most intelligent symbols. It can carry more than 50 different unmanned systems, including unmanned boats, drones and underwater vehicles to achieve an integrated ocean expedition."

Onscreen text: "The intelligent, unmanned ship is a beautiful, new 'marine species' that will bring revolutionary changes for ocean observation. Construction of the powerful ocean research tool started in July 2021...at the Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou southern China.  The ship has a length of 88.5 meters [290ft] and is 14 meters [46ft] wide. It can sail at a top speed of 18 knots. The Zhu Hai Yun has some of the world's most advanced systems."

Li Xiaourui: "In terms of hardware, the ship is equipped with facilities dedicated to the deployment, communication, remote control and security of the unmanned systems. As for software, it has a command system for cross-domain collaborative operation of the unmanned systems."

Onscreen text: "The vessel reportedly also has military capability to [intercept and expel invasive targets].  It is expected to be delivered by the end of 2022 after completing sea trials."