Is China testing submarine drones that could threaten US west coast or Panama Canal?
Evidence points to the development of XXL vessels that provide a ‘low-risk’ option for attacking key sites, according to a US defence website
The drones, referred to as XXLUUVs (Extra-Extra-Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles), are highly classified and little is known for certain about them.
However, some clues have been gleaned from satellite imagery, eyewitness photographs and a builder’s concept model displayed at a defence exhibition, according to the Naval News website.
The report said the drones were believed to be by far the world’s largest and to be capable of sailing more than 10,000 nautical miles (18,500km) – about twice the width of the Pacific – allowing them to reach the western Americas, including the strategically vital canal.
Their internal weapons bays could carry sea mines or between eight and 12 torpedoes, “providing China with low-risk options to directly threaten West Coast ports”, the report published on Wednesday said.
Naval News earlier reported that two prototypes of a similar size but different design were spotted by satellites during tests in the South China Sea in September.